In Case You Missed the Memo... American High Style Debuts at The Brooklyn Museum

Norman Norell (American, 1900–1972). Evening Ensemble, 1970–71. Gold organdy, beaded gold silk jersey. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Toni Tavan Ausnit, 1990 (2009.300.1383a–b)

The Brooklyn Museum has unveiled the American High Style: Fashioning a National Collection. The exhibit is a collection of iconic fashions and the French designs that influenced them. 

Charles James (American, born England, 1906–1978). "Butterfly" Dress, 1955. Smoke gray silk chiffon; pale gray silk satin; aubergine, lavender, and oyster white tulle. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. John de Menil, 1957 (2009.300.816)

To mark the new relationship between the Brooklyn Museum and the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum presents an exhibition of some of the most renowned objects from its costume collection. American High Style consists of approximately eighty-five dressed mannequins and a selection of hats, shoes, sketches, and other fashion-related material that will reintroduce the collection, long in storage, to the public.

Arnold Scaasi (American, born Canada, 1931). Evening Ensemble, 1961. Cream silk satin printed with red and black polka dots, red barathea. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Kay Kerr, 1965 (2009.300.391a–b)

The exhibition is organized in groups representing the most important strengths of the collection. Works by the first generation of American women designers such as Bonnie Cashin, Elizabeth Hawes, and Claire McCardell are featured, as well as material created by Charles James, Norman Norell, Gilbert Adrian, and other important American designers.


American High Style: Fashioning a National Collection Until August 1, 2010 
Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro Wing, 4th Floor Brooklyn Museum (http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/)
200 Eastern Parkway (at Washington Ave)
Brooklyn, NY
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