Christian Dior, leopard fur coat, early 1960s.
Gift of Mrs. Sylvia Slifka.
Background image: engraving of Ole Worms cabinet of curiosities, 1655.
The “Aviary,” featuring a variety of feathered garments and accessories, in addition to a table embellished by Bill Cunningham.
Containing objects from all over the world, these collections often had ties to colonialism.
When wunderkammers were dismantled and distributed, many of the sartorial artifacts went to anthropological or natural history museums.
Adolfo, feathered headdress, 19621964.
Christian Dior, leopard fur coat, early 1960s. Gift of Mrs. Sylvia Slifka. Background image: engraving of Ole Worm’s cabinet of curiosities, 1655.
Donated in memory of Isabel Eberstadt by her family.
Bill Cunningham, feathered table, 1960s.
Gift of Frederick Eberstadt.
Comme des Garçons; polyester, cotton, and nylon dress printed with Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s painting of Vertumnus; spring 2018. Gift of Nordstrom.
The cage can be seen as a metaphor for a wunderkammera designated place of containment.
Slide right to see installation views of the exhibition.
The mind is challenged by the What Is It?
Adolfo, feathered headdress, 1962–1964. Donated in memory of Isabel Eberstadt by her family. Bill Cunningham, feathered table, 1960s. Gift of Frederick Eberstadt.
These ideas take root via the objects.
I also wanted to bring people into the physical realm, the curator says.
A group of miniature objects.
A group of miniature objects. From left: late 1930s felt hat adorned with tiny hats by Hattie Carnegie, gift of William F. Sweeney. Circa 1890 red wool dress (dressmaker’s sample), museum purchase. Circa 1910–1915 black rubber boots (salesperson’s sample), gift of Mike Dykeman.
Circa 1890 red wool dress (dressmakers sample), museum purchase.
Circa 19101915 black rubber boots (salespersons sample), gift of Mike Dykeman.
A similar balance is what keeps people scrolling endlessly.
Fashion tools: brass sleeve drafting tool from 1893 (hanging), museum purchase. Early 1950s cedar hat block (on pedestal). Gift of Rose Simon. Metal wire dress form, 1881. Gift of Mrs. Herbert Singer.
Fashion tools: brass sleeve drafting tool from 1893 (hanging), museum purchase.
Early 1950s cedar hat block (on pedestal).
Gift of Rose Simon.
Sophia Webster, Chiara sandals with multicolor embroidery and hand-painted heels, 2019. Gift of Sophia Webster.
Metal wire dress form, 1881.
Gift of Mrs. Herbert Singer.
Sophia Webster, Chiara sandals with multicolor embroidery and hand-painted heels, 2019.
Gift of Sophia Webster.
