The evolution of fashion tastes and trends throughout history

The exhibition organised at the Costume Gallery in Palazzo Pitti, this time does not present the clothes and accessories in chronological order, but rather matches them according to the similarities or differences between them. In this way, the visitor is able to discover the affinities between the various clothes and accessories from different periods, due to revivals of past tastes and styles.  

The exhibition offers a more visual than historical approach, and compares the forms, which have been proposed throughout history, with the clothes made in different eras, which in some cases show similarities, and in others are in stark contrast. For example, a rich and elegant Ferrè creation, is compared with an eighteenth century andrienne dress, or another Ferrè dress, with clean lines, is juxtaposed with an empire style dress.

According to this logic of parallelism between creations, fashion and tastes, garments from the 1950s and 1970s are compared with two works by Mariano Fortuny.

The exhibition highlights how different cuts of women's clothing subjected the body image to constant metamorphosis and also how social conditions influenced stylistic trends.

The aim was also to extend this lively alternation of similarities and differences to the relationship between the garments and the artistic furnishings, specifically the paintings, generously loaned by the Gallery of Modern Art.

Pucci Emilio (Napoli 1914 – Firenze 1992), Abito, XX secolo (1981), seta/ organza/  stampa. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo della Moda e del Costume Attribuito a Sonia Delaunay (Hradyz'k, Ucraina 1885 - Parigi, Francia 1979), Abito, 1795  ca.-1800 ca., seta/cotone/ mussola/ ricamo. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo della  Moda e del CostumeManifattura italiana, Abito femminile, XVIII secolo (1780 ca.), seta/ gros de Tours filo di seta  e filo metallico/ ricamo. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo della Moda e del CostumeAlma Maria Lami, manifattura fiorentina, Abito femminile, XX secolo (1952), velluto  filo metallico, perle, strass, cannucce di vetro, paillettes/ricamo/seta/crêpe/  plissettatura. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo della Moda e del CostumeRoberta di Camerino, Abito femminile, XX secolo (1975-1976), poliestere/ jersey/  stampa. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo della Moda e del CostumeSartoria Khiostri, Abito, XX secolo (1955-1960), viscosa/velluto, tulle, fibra  sintetica/ organza, paillettes, cannucce, perline, jais/ ricamo. Firenze, Gallerie degli  Uffizi, Museo della Moda e del CostumeManifattura italiana; manifattura parmense, Calzoni maschili, gilet e marsina,  XVIII secolo (1790 ca.-1799 ca.), seta/ taffetas/filo d'argento/  ricamo/paillettes/ ricamo/stagnola. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo della  Moda e del CostumeSartoria Magnani (Firenze), Abito da sera, XX secolo (1958-1859), Taffetas di seta, perle,  paillettes, strass, filo d'argento. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo della Moda e del  CostumeSartoria Ventura, Abito femminile, XX secolo, quarto decennio (1935 ca.-1940 ca.), seta/  damasco. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo della Moda e del Costume
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Fashion: similarities and differences

Museum of Costume and Fashion, Pitti Palace, Florence

13 January 2010 – 31 March 2013

Exhibition curated by Caterina Chiarelli

Exhibition catalogue published by Sillabe (available only in Italian)