The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) is gearing up to present its highly anticipated fashion exhibition, “Fashioning America: Grit to Glamour.” This inaugural exhibit will take place at the esteemed Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art from September 10, 2022, to January 30, 2023. Set to feature over 90 designers and renowned American labels, including contributions from Hamish Bowles, Vogue magazine’s global editor at large, this exhibition aims to spotlight the remarkable diversity and innovation within American fashion.
The exhibition will showcase iconic pieces from esteemed designers such as Ralph Lauren, Nike, Vera Wang, and Levi Strauss. It will also highlight statement-making styles by Virgil Abloh, Carolina Herrera, Patricia Michaels, Virgil Ortiz, Anna Sui, and Isabel Toledo. By presenting these iconic pieces, the exhibition seeks to explore and celebrate the rich heritage and inventive spirit of American fashion. Furthermore, it will shed light on the stories of underrecognized and underrepresented designers, giving them the recognition they deserve while also highlighting the significant contemporary movements that are shaping the industry. Additionally, the exhibition aims to underscore American fashion’s impact on global trends and visual culture, reinforcing its influential role on the world stage.
Michelle Tolini Finamore, the exhibition’s curator, emphasizes how American fashion mirrors the complexity of the nation itself. It weaves together narratives of innovation, immigration, independence, self-invention, and creativity. By celebrating unconventional work, the exhibition seeks to showcase the powerful role fashion plays in reflecting the American spirit to the global audience.
To provide visitors with a captivating experience, the exhibition will be divided into seven themed sections, each exploring a different aspect of American fashion. These sections will explore a wide range of styles, from denim jeans to bathing suits, sneakers to cowboy boots, zoot suits to leisure suits, sportswear to underwear, and Hollywood glamour to street style. By encompassing such diverse themes, “Fashioning America: Grit to Glamour” aims to capture the vast expanse of American fashion and its various influences.
One critical focus of the exhibit is the representation of Black and Native American designers. Through highlighting the work of these designers, the exhibition aims to address the historical lack of recognition they have faced within the industry. In addition, the exhibition will offer a geographical representation of fashion designers and histories from across the country, further underscoring the breadth and depth of American fashion.
The CFDA’s collaboration with the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art plays a crucial role in introducing this exhibition to the world. As part of this partnership, the CFDA x Crystal Bridges Heartland Scholars Award will be established. This prestigious scholarship aims to support and nurture emerging design talent among students based, studying, or raised in the American Heartland, fostering their creativity and providing them with resources to pursue their dreams.
All in all, “Fashioning America: Grit to Glamour” promises to be an extraordinary and groundbreaking exhibition. By showcasing the work of both established and emerging designers, the exhibition aims to shed light on the underrepresented voices that have shaped the industry. It presents an exciting opportunity to showcase the global influence of American fashion and celebrate its role in reflecting the nation’s spirit for the rest of the world to witness.
[Link 1: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art](https://crystalbridges.org)[Link 2: Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)](https://cfda.com)
