History, Haute Couture, and a Hint of Mystery
As a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology, I often don’t realize the resources that are right at my fingertips, and that includes the FIT Museum. With a wide range of exhibits that rotate frequently and are free for the public to enjoy, it’s a fantastic spot to brush up on your sartorial knowledge. “Fashioning Wonder: A Cabinet of Curiosities,” the Museum’s newest exhibit, just opened and is an absolute must-see if you’re in the Midtown area between now and April 20. This exhibit takes the concept of a “cabinet of curiosities,” with its fascinating collections of oddities dating as far back as the 16th century, and applies it to fashion. The result? A wildly imaginative, slightly eerie, and totally captivating experience.
Curated by Dr. Colleen Hill, the exhibit features nearly 200 garments and accessories that range from the beautiful to the bizarre. The pieces are organized into themed sections like Illusions, Aviary, and Anatomical Theatre, so you’ll find yourself wandering through different worlds, each stranger and more delightful than the last. One of my personal favorites? A dramatic Comme des Garçons dress from Spring 2018, printed with Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s Vertumnus (aka, that painting of a man made entirely of fruits and veggies). It’s a breathtaking marriage of art and fashion in the most literal way possible.
Beyond the clothes, the exhibit itself feels like an adventure. Hidden on the FIT Museum’s lower level, there are concealed drawers to open, eye-catching displays for garments and accessories, and a central birdcage installation that pulls everything together. It’s interactive, immersive, and designed to spark curiosity, just like a real cabinet of wonders. The charming trinket jars with jewelry suspended inside from labels like Boucher and Napier represent an affinity to both collect and cherish, while the accessory drawers tucked away from the naked eye satisfy the itch to touch and connect with the exhibit.
What I love most about Fashioning Wonder is that it makes you look at fashion differently. It’s not just about trends or what’s “wearable.” Rather, it’s about how clothing can tell stories, evoke emotions, and make you feel like you’ve stepped into another time (or even another world).
So, if you’re in NYC and craving some inspiration (or just a break from your usual museum circuit), head to FIT and prepare to be amazed. “Fashioning Wonder” isn’t just an exhibit, it’s a high art and haute couture fantasy come to life.