MFIT’s New Exhibit Explores Fashion Through a 'Cabinet of Curiosities'

The Museum at FIT (MFIT) in New York City is set to unveil a new exhibition entitled Fashioning Wonder: A Cabinet of Curiosities, an inventive showcase that dives into the relationship between fashion and cabinets of curiosities, also known as "wunderkammern" in German. These early collections, which emerged in the sixteenth century, were precursors to modern museums and often included garments alongside their assortment of rare and exotic objects.

The exhibition, curated by MFIT Senior Curator of Costume Dr. Colleen Hill, showcases nearly 200 garments and accessories, primarily selected from the museum's extensive permanent collection, featuring designers like Chanel, Bob Mackie, Vivienne Westwood, and Schiaparelli. The pieces are inspired by a wide array of objects typically found in cabinets of curiosities, designed to spark wonder through their rarity, beauty, and originality, with many of these items being displayed publicly for the first time.

The introductory gallery provides a historical context, tracing the origins of cabinets of curiosities and their significance during the Age of Exploration (fifteenth to seventeenth centuries). It also addresses the colonial implications of such collections and highlights the modern museum’s need for greater inclusivity. This section draws attention to the interplay between curiosity, creativity, and collecting. One standout piece is a dress by Mary Katrantzou from her 2019 tenth anniversary collection, featuring intricate patterns of butterflies and seashells—motifs commonly found in these historical collections. 

The main gallery is divided into 10 thematic sections, each with a contemporary fashion spin on the concept of cabinets of curiosities. Custom-designed sets encourage visitors to explore and engage with the display. One section, titled Specimens, highlights fashion’s enduring fascination with the natural world. Pieces in this section include earrings by designers such as Kai-Yin Lo, Ted Muehling, and Tiffany’s, displayed in small glass jars reminiscent of scientific specimens. 

Fashioning Wonder: Cabinets of Curiosities promises to engage its audience with its inventive approach to showcasing fashion as an art form deeply connected to history, exploration, and the natural world. The exhibit will run at The Museum at FIT from February 19 to April 20, 2025.