Fashion History
7 articles
What Makes a Runway Show Historic? Three Shows, Three Answers
This article explores the defining characteristics of historic runway shows by analyzing three distinct examples: Vivienne Westwood's 'Pirates' (1981) for stylistic rebellion, Alexander McQueen's 'Plato's Atlantis' (2010) for landmark impact, and Coperni's S/S 2023 for technological spectacle. It proposes a framework for evaluating runway significance based on innovation and documented cultural influence.
Three Exhibitions That Moved Fashion From the Museum's Margins to Its Galleries
Three landmark American exhibitions—MoMA's 1944 'Are Clothes Modern?', the Met's 1983 Yves Saint Laurent retrospective, and FIT's 2026 'Art X Fashion'—demonstrate fashion's evolving journey from the museum's margins to its galleries. These shows progressively argued for and established fashion as a legitimate art form.
From the Trenches to the Runway: How a Military Coat Became Fashion's Most Enduring Classic
The trench coat's iconic design, featuring epaulettes, D-rings, and storm flaps, originated from practical military needs during World War I. These functional details, engineered for soldiers, have since become enduring fashion staples, demonstrating how utility evolved into timeless style.
Loewe Marks 180 Years With New Leather Excellence Campaign
As the second-oldest luxury fashion house globally, Loewe celebrates its 180th anniversary in 2026 by reimagining its iconic 1975 Amazona bag in smooth suede and supple calfskin.
Marilyn Monroe's iconic pink gown: Its enduring legacy
Marilyn Monroe's iconic pink satin gown from 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes', a symbol of Hollywood glamour, was originally purchased from Fox for a mere $12.
Marilyn Monroe's opera coat at Bonhams Icons of Fashion sale
A used lip brush belonging to Marilyn Monroe recently sold for $10,000, dwarfing the value of many luxury items.
Sloane Rangers: The 1982 cultural phenomenon explained today
In 1982, The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook became an unlikely chart-topping success, defining a specific, non-rebellious British upper-class lifestyle now revived on social media and high fashion ru