Recently I had the pleasure of having my mom stay with us for a while, and one of the things we enjoyed was Newfields, a gem of Indianapolis! Newfields is the Indianapolis Art Museum and also boasts expansive gardens, the Lilly mansion and more. It was my first time going and I was so impressed.
It was to my absolute delight that Newfields was currently exhibiting ” Body/ Beyond: Fashion that Transforms”. This exhibit shows off some fantastic garments all which embody sillhouette exaggerations in varying forms, to showcase how designers can change the female form. In their own words (from their website):
BODY / BEYOND: Fashion That Transforms explores how designers have molded, remade, and even defied the human form. Featuring 22 works drawn from the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s world-renowned fashion collection, including three exciting new acquisitions on view for the first time, this exhibition presents fashion as a bold space for experimentation and self-expression.
From elegant couture to radical sculptural designs, the exhibition brings together iconic garments that do far more than dress the body—they transform it. Timeless 1950s couture by Christian Dior and Pierre Balmain celebrates the hourglass figure, while sharply tailored suits with assertive shoulders by Thierry Mugler and Martin Margiela evoke traditionally masculine silhouettes, reflecting women’s growing presence in professional spaces historically dominated by men.
Pushing beyond tradition, avant-garde works by Rei Kawakubo and Issey Miyake challenge ideas of fit, beauty, and wearability altogether. Together, these striking designs invite visitors to reconsider how fashion shapes the way we see ourselves—and how we want to be seen.”
To find out more about attending this exhibit in Indianapolis, click here for the website.
I can promise you, this is a big inspiration for the dress I will be making for the Dressmaker’s Ball this year!
