From jumpsuits to evening gowns, the latest historical fashion exhibition at the Museum of Vancouver will feature rare examples of haute couture and Vancouver-made clothing and accessories that reflect the changes that World War II had on society.
From the collections of guest curators Ivan Sayers and Claus Jahnke, and the vaults of the Museum of Vancouver, From Rationing to Ravishing will present more than 80 garments. Highlights include wartime wedding dresses, Boeing Vancouver overalls, cocktail dresses, and fashions designed by renowned European couturiers, including Christian Dior, Hardy Amies, and Elsa Schiaparelli.
The exhibition also includes a dress from Ceil Chapman, who was reportedly Marilyn Monroe’s favourite designer and counted Elizabeth Taylor and Mamie Van Doren as famous clients. Lauren Bacall’s shoes, Peruvian soprano Yma Sumac’s dress suit and a suit from Miss Germany 1955 will also be on display.
From Rationing to Ravishing is the second installment in a continuing series of fashion exhibitions with Sayers and Jahnke. Sayers – who thinks of his exhibitions as lessons in history – claims, “No era is better illustrated by an examination of its clothing than the period of World War II and the postwar years of recovery and rebuilding.“
During the war, fashion designers emphasized manliness; clothes were influenced by the need for practicality and economy. In peacetime, a womanly silhouette returned and then, in the 1950s, influenced by indulgence and amusement, designers made girlishness the rage.
The exhibition, running Sept. 18 to March 8, will also include family-friendly features, including an activity station for kids and adults alike, and the opportunity to try on period garments.
