Costume Exhibit in NY at the Met

If you’re in New York before the middle of August, you absolutely MUST go see the “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity” at the Metropolitan Museum in Manhattan. Here is a preview of the exhibit that focuses on archetypes of American fashion, including “Gibson Girls” and “Screen Sirens”.

Jesse Franklin Turner gold lamé dress, 1933
Etta Hentz Grecian style evening gown, 1944
Charles James silk and metallic gown, 1936
Nellie Harrington sweater and pleated skirt, 1928
Silk and rhinestone evening gown, c. 1909-11

“American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity” is on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 5, 2010 – August 15, 2010.

All images courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Collection.