Upcoming

LIVING FASHION. Women's Daily Wear 1750-1950. From the Jacoba de Jonge collection

From Wednesday 21st of March till Sunday 12th of August 2012 MoMu presents the exhibition LIVING FASHION. Women's Daily Wear 1750-1950. From the Jacoba de Jonge collection, an exhibition about the influence of fashion on the everyday lives of middle-class women in Western Europe between 1750 and 1950.

Based on historic dresses and accessories, the exhibition sketches a picture of the relationship between fashion ideals and the clothing that was actually worn, with an eye to the timeless desire to achieve a fashionable appearance in one's clothing, regardless of function. The exhibition also looks into the construction of such fashionable apparel and the consequences this had in posture and behaviour, as well as altering or adapting clothing to suit new trends.

Fashions were important not only in evening or formal wear, but also in day dresses, which changed according to the activities of those wearing them. Wherever possible, the actual scheduling of activities for each day also followed fashion trends. The significant rise of the middle classes in the 19th century opened new possibilities and gave access to new ways of spending time, stimulating consumerism and fashionable behaviour.

The exhibition illustrates this story with 90 silhouettes, complete with accessories from the extensive historic clothing collection of the Dutch collector, Jacoba de Jonge.