“The Costume Institute’s fall 2023 exhibition, Women Dressing Women, celebrates the creativity and artistic legacy of women designers. Comprising approximately 80 objects that document the work of more than 70 makers, the exhibition traces a lineage of influential women-led fashion houses from the 20th century to the present, highlighting the pioneering designers who led them. Designers whose work is on view include Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garçons, Adèle Henriette Nigrin Fortuny, Gabriela Hearst, Ann Lowe, Claire McCardell, Pia Davis and Autumn Randolph for No Sesso, Miuccia Prada, Madeleine Vionnet, and Vivienne Westwood, among many others.

 Through the exploration of four key notions—anonymity, visibility, agency, and absence/omission—Women Dressing Women offers a new interpretation of the traditional canon of fashion history and examines the ways in which the industry has served as a powerful vehicle for women’s social, financial, and creative autonomy. Discoveries about the identities, mentorship histories, and connections between women makers throughout history are explored, providing new insights and an enhanced understanding of their work.” — The Met

Installation views of Women Dressing Women at The Met Fifth Avenue, Women, December 7, 2023 – March 3, 2024.  All photos © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Mellissa Huber, Associate Curator, The Costume Institute stated: “Our fall exhibition provides an opportunity to engage with the critical histories of innovative women designers, all of whom played pivotal roles in the conception of fashion as we know it today. In recognizing that the contributions of women to fashion are unquantifiable, our intention with this show is to celebrate and acknowledge through a focus on The Costume Institute’s permanent collection, which represents a rich timeline of Western fashion history. We hope that this exhibition fosters impactful conversations between our visitors and across the designers’ larger bodies of work, highlighting the plurality and diversity of women’s important contributions to the field.” 

The exhibition is organized by Mellissa Huber, Associate Curator, The Costume Institute, and guest co-curator Karen Van Godtsenhoven. Headpieces are created for the exhibition by artist Caitlin Keogh.

Title image: Gallery View: Atmosphere.

Images courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art.