Preview the Exhibition

Yohji Yamamoto, woman’s ensemble, Spring 2007.

Gift of Yohji Yamamoto, Inc. Photograph © Monica Feundi.

Rudi Gernreich, Woman’s jumpsuit, Fall 1970.

Wool knit. Textile Income Purchase Fund. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham.

Designed by Victor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren for Viktor&Rolf, suit, “One Woman Show” Collection, Fall/Winter 2003–4.

Satin, synthetic. Courtesy of Viktor&Rolf.

Walter Van Beirendonck, ensemble,“Woest (Fierce)” Collection, Autumn/Winter 2016–17.

Polyester, acrylic, acetate, mohair, nylon. Museum purchase with funds donated by the Fashion Council, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Catwalking/Getty Images.

Jeanne Lanvin, woman’s evening pants ensemble, Fall 1935–36.

Silk crepe, trimmed with gilded leather. Gift of Miss Lucy T. Aldrich. Reproduced with permission.

Designed by Alejandro Gómez Palomo for Palomo Spain, dress, “Sexual Object” Collection, Fall/Winter 2017.

Metallic brocade. Museum purchase with funds donated by the Fashion Council, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Ovidiu Hrubaru/Alamy stock photo.

Invitation for O’Rossen Fashion Show, illustrated by Robert Polack
Illustrated by Robert Polack, printed by Georges Gotscho, Invitation for O’Rossen Fashion Show, about 1926.

Ink on paper. Gift of Susan B. Kaplan.

Designed by Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garçons, blazer and kilt, 2012.

Museum Purchase with funds donated by the Fashion council, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Alessandro Trincone, dress, “Annodami” Collection, Spring/Summer 2017.

Cotton, synthetic. Model: Andrea Antonelli. Photograph by Gioconda and August.

Opaque and transparent watercolor figures with black marker by Kenneth Paul Block
Kenneth Paul Block, Yves Saint Laurent “Paris Couture,” W Magazine, 1976.

Opaque and transparent watercolor with black marker. Gift of Kenneth Paul Block, made possible with the generous assistance of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf. Copyright © Condé Nast.

Yohji Yamamoto, woman’s ensemble, Spring 2007.

Gift of Yohji Yamamoto, Inc. Photograph © Monica Feundi.

Rudi Gernreich, Woman’s jumpsuit, Fall 1970.

Wool knit. Textile Income Purchase Fund. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham.

Designed by Victor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren for Viktor&Rolf, suit, “One Woman Show” Collection, Fall/Winter 2003–4.

Satin, synthetic. Courtesy of Viktor&Rolf.

Walter Van Beirendonck, ensemble,“Woest (Fierce)” Collection, Autumn/Winter 2016–17.

Polyester, acrylic, acetate, mohair, nylon. Museum purchase with funds donated by the Fashion Council, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Catwalking/Getty Images.

Jeanne Lanvin, woman’s evening pants ensemble, Fall 1935–36.

Silk crepe, trimmed with gilded leather. Gift of Miss Lucy T. Aldrich. Reproduced with permission.

Designed by Alejandro Gómez Palomo for Palomo Spain, dress, “Sexual Object” Collection, Fall/Winter 2017.

Metallic brocade. Museum purchase with funds donated by the Fashion Council, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Ovidiu Hrubaru/Alamy stock photo.

Invitation for O’Rossen Fashion Show, illustrated by Robert Polack
Illustrated by Robert Polack, printed by Georges Gotscho, Invitation for O’Rossen Fashion Show, about 1926.

Ink on paper. Gift of Susan B. Kaplan.

Designed by Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garçons, blazer and kilt, 2012.

Museum Purchase with funds donated by the Fashion council, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Alessandro Trincone, dress, “Annodami” Collection, Spring/Summer 2017.

Cotton, synthetic. Model: Andrea Antonelli. Photograph by Gioconda and August.

Opaque and transparent watercolor figures with black marker by Kenneth Paul Block
Kenneth Paul Block, Yves Saint Laurent “Paris Couture,” W Magazine, 1976.

Opaque and transparent watercolor with black marker. Gift of Kenneth Paul Block, made possible with the generous assistance of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf. Copyright © Condé Nast.