The Body: Fashion and Physique—A Curatorial Discussion

Abstract

Curatorial practice is a complex process that aims to educate visitors through objects, text, display, and design as they move through a three-dimensional gallery space. This essay offers a view into the planning of The Body: Fashion and Physique exhibition, which was on view at The Museum at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) from December 5, 2017–May 5, 2018, and which also acted as a catalyst for this special issue of Fashion Theory. I discuss key objects from the show and consider their historical significance in tandem with theoretical issues that formed the basis of the exhibition's concept. I also explore some of the challenges that arose for me during the curatorial process, such as grappling with the typical display practices of a fashion museum. A goal of this essay, as well as this issue more broadly, is to open a frank dialog within the fashion studies community about the role the museum can play in both challenging and perpetuating narratives about body size, aging, ability, race, and gender identity in fashion.

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