Words: Bayli Moore

Beyond the Little Black Dress explores 100 years of the “LBD” as a symbol of femininity, sensuality, strength, and change. The exhibition features over 60 looks, beginning with Coco Chanel’s original little black dress from 1926. The exhibition explores the changing shape, materiality, and meaning of the little black dress with a special focus on the ever changing appearance of femininity, the social and cultural symbolism of the colour black, the future of fashion and technology, and the fashion industry’s current struggle with sustainability. 

The exhibition features designs from internationally renowned designers like Prada, Christian Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, as well as highlighting Japanese designers Issey Miyake, Yoji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawakubo for their designs in the 1980’s that rejected Eurocentric femininity and experimented with shadow and silhouette. Beyond the Little Black Dress touches on a myriad of interconnected social and cultural elements, from challenging traditional femininity through the punk movement to the meaning of black clothing in spirituality and afro futurism. Beyond the Little Black Dress is an exciting, must-see exhibition this season.

Beyond The Little Black Dress: Exhibition
National Museum of Scotland, Exhibition Gallery 1
Tickets are sold at 15 minute intervals between 10:00 and 15:45
14-28 Aug