FIT Presents Fashioning Wonder – A Cabinet of Curiosities

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One of our favorite free museums in NYC, The Museum at FIT, has an exhibition on display that is sure to intrigue our readers.  Fashioning Wonder – A Cabinet of Curiosities can be seen through April 20th in the museum’s vast downstairs gallery.

Expertly curated by Colleen Hill, Fashioning Wonder is a contemporary adaptation of a centuries-old phenomenon, known in German as the Wunderkammer or “chamber of wonder.” These cabinets predate modern museums showcasing the collections of European royals, aristocrats, and scholars from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries.  A cabinet of curiosities could be a freestanding piece of furniture, an entire room or a series of rooms.  With the expansion of global travel and trade, many collectors began to acquire a wide variety of items such as ancient coins and natural specimens that became prominent features in fashion.

Fashioning Wonder offers a fascinating interpretation of the Wunderkammer concept.  There are almost 200 garments and accessories that have been put into ten key themes that include Artisanship, Specimens, Anatomical Theatre, and others. One of these themes, the Aviary has a large birdcage in the center of the museum’s space with ornate garments trimmed in feathers. In modern fashion design, items trimmed with feathers are less popular due to the public’s environmental concerns.

There are many surprises as you go through the exhibition. Some of the many wonderful items on display include Lauren Bacall’s Shell Bag and other donations from her diverse collection; the pink leather and vinyl tote bag printed with Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa by Jeff Koons for Louis Vuitton; a gold lame cocktail dress with attached brass necklaces by Geoffrey Beene; and a stunning display of garments that have reflective materials cleverly displayed before mirrors. 

Curator Colleen Hill commented about the visitor experience. “Through their own examination of the many objects on view, I hope visitors leave feeling inspired and-most importantly-curious.”

Whether you have an interest in garments or accessories, you’ll want to visit Fashioning Wonder – A Cabinet of Curiosities. Chances are you’ll return many times before it closes on April 20th as there’s so much to see and explore.  And while you are at The Museum at FIT, take the time to enjoy the displays on the ground level, “All That Glitters” with captivating fashions that shimmer and shine with their thread work and trims. 

The Museum at FIT is located at Seventh Avenue at 27th Street. Check their website for hours of operation.  It is free to the public.  Our readers should also take advantage of their Symposium, Talk and Tours that are also free. 

Website:  Museum