Typical design classics are things like Eames chairs or Leica cameras. But do lululemon yoga pants fit into the category?
Yes, according to a new exhibition at the U.S. Museum of Modern Art.
The New York gallery has just opened Items: Is Fashion Modern?, an exhibition of clothing that has had an impact on the world. lululemon’s Boogie yoga pants were chosen as one of 111 exhibits because they were the first of their kind.
“I designed the Boogie Pant to reflect the needs of Vancouver women and to enable them to move through their entire day in one garment,” says brand founder Chip Wilson.
“The pants had triple the stretch of any other pants on the market and felt like cotton instead of plastic. I added the wide-panelled gusset, which is what took the pants from the dance class to the street. They didn’t shrink and they were designed to last 10 years. They were technical made beautiful.”
How does the Boogie Pant’s inclusion in the exhibition make Wilson feel?
“To have this design recognized next to fashion innovations including Nike Air Force 1 shoes, the turtleneck, the first down jacket and the first wrap dress is an honour,” he says.
The exhibition also includes staples like Levi’s 501s and the Breton shirt, as well as another Canadian classic, the Wonderbra, which was originally created in Montreal.
The exhibition will be on Floor 6 of MoMA until Jan. 28, 2018. Find out more at Moma.org.
