The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology is set to open a new exhibit on Sept. 16, running through Jan. 3, that looks at the long-standing link between dolls and fashion across the 20th and 21st centuries. Curated by Dr. Colleen Hill, the show features over 170 objects, pairing fashion dolls with full-size clothing, accessories, videos, and artwork.
Titled "Doll Dressing," the exhibit highlights designers like Balenciaga, Maison Margiela, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Anna Sui, and Loewe. It argues that dolls serve not just as toys but as creative muses for fashion houses. The display is organized into six sections, starting with "Fashion Doll Foundations," which tracks how dolls have historically spread style ideas. Other sections include "Modes in Miniature," focusing on designers like Emily Adams and Jason Wu who love small-scale work, and "Playing With Dolls," which touches on childhood nostalgia.
"The Dollhouse" connects fashion to home decor, featuring pieces like Lirika Matoshi's Apartment Coat. "All Dolled Up" looks at the "living doll" idea through archetypes such as the flapper, while "Broken Dolls" explores darker, subversive uses of dolls in contemporary culture. The exhibit is supported by the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT.
Interest in dolls and fashion has grown recently, especially after the 2023 "Barbie" movie. Collaborations with brands like Bratz and American Girl have expanded, with labels like Hill House Home and Boy Smells joining in. On the high-fashion side, Marc Jacobs' spring 2024 ready-to-wear show featured a paper doll theme in its set and styling.
Originally reported by WWD