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The Campus Closet: Modern spirit from 1920s at the Phoenix Art Museum

The exhibit offers a time warp, a chance to see early-day styles take shape. Photo courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum.
The exhibit offers a time warp, a chance to see early-day styles take shape. Photo courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum.

We owe short skirts, short hair and the word “couture” to the 1920s; a time that marked a new beginning to the modern age of fashion.

Liberation of sexuality and intellectualism was happening all around, and for the first time men and women started expressing it through clothing. Often referred to as the “Roaring 20s” jazz music, cigarettes, surrealism and flapper dresses were the source of inspiration for designers of this rebellion time.

As women’s roles changed in society so did their dresses. Gabrielle “CoCo” Chanel came onto the scene with groundbreaking designs of simplicity we know today as classic. Instead of clothing with complicated fastenings and restricting undergarments she created two new phenomenons: clothing women could pull over their heads and shortened hemlines. Women were now allowed freedom to move and breathe again.

The exhibit offers a time warp, a chance to see early-day styles take shape. Photo courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum.

The Phoenix Art Museum opened an inspiring exhibit last weekend in the Ellman Fashion Gallery. The exhibit features 40 ensembles, including some by designers such as CoCo Chanel and Madeliene Vionnet. The exhibit is filled with beautiful adorning handmade pieces that make you feel like you are walking through a time machine.

I was surprised to see so many vibrant colors, due to the black and white photographs and films I am used to seeing from the 1920s. You can strongly see the art deco and surrealism influences of the era through the pieces, and each seems to represent an individual personality making you wonder who wore it and the story behind it.

My favorite piece in the exhibit was a white evening dress, emroidered in detailed beadwork. Accesorizing it was a majestic blue kimono and beaded headpiece. It reminded me of the kimonos that are super in right now, and I could see where their inspiration came from.

The Modern Spirit exhibit runs through February 10 with many lectures, events and film nights in between. I am most excited for the “Designing the 20’s” lecture and showing of the film “The Artist.”

 

Feel free to contact me with any story ideas at gmnelson@asu.edu


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