I recently had the pleasure of viewing the Museum at FIT's latest exhibition, Fairy Tale Fashion, curated by Colleen Hill. The beautiful and inspiring show is organized thematically with gorgeously designed vignettes for each fairy tale. The experience was totally immersive—you take the stairs down into the special exhibition gallery, read and view a few items that explain the premise, open the main gallery doors, and enter the fairy tale world the museum created. As you follow the path through the exhibition, you're surrounded by beautiful and evocative fairy tale music from ballets and films, and the mannequin displays are complemented with appropriate film clips (including Moira Shearer dancing in The Red Shoes!) and theatrical displays (including a "glass" coffin for Snow White).

And the clothes! Some of my favorite items were the 18th century robe à la française in a "beastly" leopard patterned silk in the Beauty and the Beast display, the Charles James Swan gown (of course), and a stunning Marchesa tulle gown, that evokes Sleeping Beauty's nightgown.

The accompanying exhibition catalogue by Colleen Hill is gorgeous, well-researched, well-written, and even includes an incredible essay about ballet and fashion by Patricia Mears.

The show is only up until April 16, so if you're anywhere near New York City, you do not want to miss it. If you're not in the area, definitely check out the virtual exhibition online.

Fairy Tale Fashion The Museum at FIT

ADMISSION to exhibitions is FREE.

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