fashioning fashion at LACMA

right now LACMA has a great exhibit focusing on european fashion from 1700-1915 at the resnick pavillion. fashion history was one of my favorite classes in school so my fellow stylists (fringe fries, behind the cocktail ring, plus one more who needs to get a blog!) and i planned a field trip to LACMA.

the exhibition, called fashioning fashion, covers everything from the changing silhouettes to the evolution of textiles to the changes in undergarments and accessories worn from the age of enlightenment to world war i.

i highly reccommend checking out the exhibit for anyone who is interested in fashion, textiles, art, or history. i definitely will be making a trip back before the exhibit ends, so i can spend more time looking at each piece. i took way more pictures than necessary, but have managed a few of my favorite pieces:

this dress is so light and airy, and when paired with the indian scarf is something even i would wear to the right event.

i love all the colors, textures and patterns found in this outfit. this would be worn by supporters of the french revolution.

i really love this walking stick - sooo harry potter!

this silk velvet robe is gorgeous. i need one for my closet.

i absolutely love everything about this outfit, down to the tassels on the harem pants. i could so live in these pants!

someone needs to bring this back so i could wear it without looking like a crazy palm reader.

lime green corduroy, sparkles and sequins. see detail below.

so amazing. all by hand.

i found the undergarments to be one of the most interesting parts of the exhibit. some of the undergarments that women wore in the past truly look like torture devices, and the weight that it added to every day dress must of been huge! i can barely wear an under wire bra, so i know i never would of lasted in a corset or cage crinoline.

okay.. this doesnt look too bad, just how exactly does one's waist get sooo tiny?? ouch!

the right goes under the left. was this really necessary? i have zero nostalgia for this.

and how do you sit with this? or was sitting down not lady like?

at least the bright colors make it look more fun...

again, the right under the left. who doesnt want an enormous ass?

on the bright side, you get a bit of cushioning. unless you are in the middle. yikes!

i really liked how the undergarment was displayed next to the actual garment worn on top. it really was like putting on one base outfit, and then the top coat. i was amazed at the lengths that women had to go to just to accentuate whatever body part was fashionable at the time.

fashioning fashion will be open until march 6, 2011. hurry up and go before its gone, this is something you don't want to miss!