Los Angeles’ ASU FIDM Museum is unveiling a new exhibition, “Fashion Statements,” on Sept. 5, with the help of the rich local fashion and style community.
The fashion museum is showcasing more than 70 works with some familiar names assisting in its curation; designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte, Jeremy Scott, Kevan Hall, costume designer Arianne Phillips and burlesque star Dita Von Teese are among the 36 creatives chosen as guest contributors to select the pieces, dating from the 18th century to present day.
According to the museum, many of the works have never been exhibited or seen outside the archives, including the corset of an 19th-century Parisian fashion plate, a 1938 Elsa Schiaparelli evening look, actress Mae West’s 1940s negligees and a 1952 cocktail dress by Christian Dior.
Silk satin and machine-made cotton lace corset by Le Merveilleux. Paris, ca. 1900. ASU FIDM Museum, 2020.5.73AB.
“The works in the ASU FIDM archives represent centuries of craftsmanship and creative expression in the fashion arts — the fashion statements of their time,” said Dennita Sewell, founding director and professor of practice for ASU FIDM, in a statement. “We have invited experienced tastemakers, community pillars and fashion lovers to participate as guest contributors, and their selections offer a sampling of designs and ideas that reflect the modern zeitgeist and demonstrate how contemporary audiences perceive the history of fashion. Through these perspectives, we aim to illustrate how the valuable resources available in our archives and library support the thriving Los Angeles fashion industry.”
Other contributors include costume designer Charlese Antoinette, filmmaker Liz Goldwyn, stylist B. Akerlund, designer Gelila Puck, designer Sue Stemp, journalist Joe Zee and artist Mark Palmen, with author Rose Apodaca as contributor liaison. The exhibition is running through Nov. 9.
Embroidered silk organza and silk charmeuse by Elsa Schiaparelli. France, 1938. ASU FIDM Museum, 2021.1796.1AB.
“Seeing the collection through the lens of the community offers refreshed perspectives on the archival works and opens up its vast potential for creative inspiration and education,” added ASU FIDM Museum senior curator Christina Johnson. “ASU FIDM Museum exhibitions expand fashion narratives, inspire new generations of designers and celebrate the self-expression and joy that fashion brings to people.”
The ASU FIDM Museum, established in 1978, has a collection of more than 15,000 items, reflecting 400 years of history in fashion and costume design. The pieces are accessible for research to students of ASU FIDM, formerly the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, and to the public.
It was renamed last year after the building housing FIDM since 1990 was acquired by Arizona State University for $15 million. FIDM’s intellectual property, including trademarks, copyrights and its fashion collection, went for $13 million. Past exhibitions at the museum have included the annual “The Art of Costume Design in Film” show last held in 2023, and “Sporting Fashion: Outdoor Girls 1800-1960″ in 2021.
Pochoir-printed silk and horn “L’Occidentale” fan by Paul Iribe for Jeanne Paquin. France, 1911. ASU FIDM Museum, 2018.5.124A-C.
