Untying the Bow Audio Feature

two dresses from left to right: an ivory linen dress with a red printed bow motif and cap sleeves; a black velvet and pink satin dress with a large satin bow at the back around the lower back. a pink illustrated ribbon tied into a bow at the end threads through both dresses
(L to R) Evening dress, c. 1934, USA, gift of Mrs. Steward McDonald, 79.10.9; Victor Edelstein, evening dress, 1987, USDA, gift of Anna Wintour, 88.70.1

Further untie the bow as four graduate students offer additional insights into their favorite bow objects from the exhibition.

Back view of an ivory linen dress with printed red bows. The open back comprises of an upside down triangle, with the tip ending at the waist.

1930s Red Bow Dress

Learn more about how this dress influenced the design for the exhibit, and how it exemplifies abstraction.

Transcript

Evening dress, c. 1934, USA, gift of Mrs. Steward McDonald, 79.10.9

one black opera pump with a black bow at the vamp, or front of the shoe

Opera Pumps

Learn more about bows in menswear.

Transcript

Opera pumps, black leather and grosgrain ribbon, 1930s, England, gift of Harold Koda, 91.157.2 

white ensemble: a whte jacket paired with a white button top and large white bowtie, and a white skirt

Halter Dress and Jacket

If one of the functions of clothing is to distinguish men from women, what might this ensemble from the 1930s say about the wearer?

Transcript

Halter dress and jacket, c. 1937, USA, gift of Mr. & Mrs. Bryon S. Miller & Gail Hart Miller in memory of their mother, Florence Hart Miller, 96.47.27

Back view of a black velvet and pink satin dress, with a large pink satin bow tied at the lower waist.

Evening Dress

Learn about the British design both Anna Wintour and Princess Diana loved.

Transcript

Victor Edelstein, evening dress, 1987, USA, gift of Anna Wintour, 88.70.1

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