The 1930s represented one of fashion’s most important and elegant eras. Compared to the shapeless, boxy styles of the 1920s, as well as the stiff, structured clothing of the Edwardian era before that, the ’30s look was elegantly proportioned and reflected the streamlined Art Moderne aesthetic of the period. Garments were softer and more minimally ornamented, while the technical innovation, and refined craftsmanship available to them inspired dressmakers and tailors to experiment with new techniques to create clothes that moved easily and highlighted the well-proportioned and classically idealized body.
It was also an era where Hollywood played a role in popularizing the glamorous new silhouette, not just in the United States, but also across Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
“Elegance in an Age of Crisis: Fashions of the 1930s,” at the Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, will display the best designs from the era, from active wear and resort wear, to men’s tailoring and women’s couture.
Creations by couturiers such as Madeleine Vionnet, Augusta Bernard, Louise Boulanger, Cristobal Balenciaga, and Madame Grès will be featured, while highlights in the accessories section include an array of shoes worn by the legendary dancer and movie star Fred Astaire.
“Elegance in an Age of Crisis: Fashions of the 1930s” is on view from February 7 to April 19, 2014, at the Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
Click on the slideshow for a preview of some of the pieces in the exhibition.
