About the Exhibit

The Massillon Museum's upcoming exhibition, Another Look at the New Look, will explore the ways in which fashion responded to the cultural changes and social demands of a post-World War Two world. It will open on Saturday, January 21, and continue through Sunday, April 1, 2012. The exhibition opening on Saturday, January 21, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., will be free and open to everyone; no reservations will be necessary. Visitors are welcome (but not required!) to dress for the runway.

Inspired by French designer Christian Dior's iconic 1947 debut collection, quickly dubbed "the New Look" by the American press, this exhibition examines the precedents, the backlash, and the antecedents of Dior's highly feminine silhouette. It features clothing worn by the average woman for everyday wear, showing how the silhouette was adapted for different garments. The New Look became iconic in its association with the feminine 1950s woman as she emerged from a time when fabric had been rationed to conserve resources for soldiers, and where women had gone to work in factories and in other nontraditional professions. The New Look is commonly associated with a celebration of the domestic sphere, which was newly in vogue. An accessible and versatile wasp-waisted silhouette, the New Look was one that complemented a variety of physiques, emphasizing feminine curves.

This exhibition is presented from both a design and historical perspective, featuring mass-produced versions and homemade interpretations of the New Look as worn by several Massillon women.

Included in the exhibition will be selections from the permanent collection of the Massillon Museum, organized chronologically from 1940 to 1965. Supplementing the Museum's collection will be garments created by designers from television's reality show, Project RunwayTM-Jack Mackenroth (Season 4), Valerie Mayen (Season 8), Sweet P Vaughn (Season 4), and Carmen Webber (Season 4)-especially for this exhibition.

The timeline of historic garments will conclude with contemporary interpretations by students enrolled in The Fashion School at Kent State University, with the top three choices being on display. The winner-everyone attending the exhibition opening will vote-will be accessioned into the Massillon Museum's permanent collection.

The exhibition is curated by Steven Rosengard, Assistant Curator at the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago. A Season 4 Project RunwayTM contestant, he takes inspiration from Yves St. Laurent, centering on natural fabrics and offering a simple, yet elegant, perspective to women's daywear. At Steven Rosengard Design Studio, he creates custom-designed clothing, including day, cocktail, evening, and bridal attire. He additionally teaches classes at the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation in Mount Carroll, Illinois.

"Steven is so creative, and has been wonderful to work with. He brings a refreshing aesthetic to this exhibit. His experience as both a museum professional and designer will shine through in the gallery. The element of including Project RunwayTM designers will present a unique opportunity for Museum visitors and fans of the television show; creating access to experiences like this one is what we're all about. The Massillon Museum always aims to blend art and history while creating educational and memorable experiences; we believe that this will be among our most exciting exhibitions to date," said Alexandra Nicholis Coon, Executive Director of the Massillon Museum.

Mannequins for the exhibition were donated to the Massillon Museum by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Massillon Museum will organize a number of free workshops, films, and lectures. The first will be a panel discussion with Project RunwayTM designers-Steven Rosengard, Valerie Mayen, and Carmen Webber-on Sunday, January 22, at 1:00 p.m. During "Project Personal: A Panel Discussion with Project RunwayTM Designers," moderated by William Perrine of The Fashion School at Kent State University, the designers will talk about their reality TV experiences and the journeys that brought them to where they are today as designers.

The February 4 "Do the Mu!" drop-in workshop will be "Your New Look" with instructor Libby Doss; the March 3 "Do the Mu!" will feature "Fashion Design 101" with instructor Heather Haden. "Do the Mu!"-a free event for all ages-is from noon to 2:00 on the first Saturday of every month.

Three films about the fashion industry will be shown during the duration of the exhibition: Coco before Chanel at the Massillon Public Library on Wednesday, January 25, at 6:30 p.m.; Funny Face at the Library on Saturday, February 18, at 2:00 p.m.; and The Devil Wears Prada at the Lions Lincoln Theatre on Thursday, March 15, at 7:00 p.m. All showings are free and require no reservations.

March includes two special free events. On Saturday, March 10, at 10:00 a.m., artist Judi Krew will lead a workshop, "The House of Hoard-A Collector's Collection of Hoard Couture." She invites participants to bring a bin of saved "stuff" to use to create miniature dress sculptures during the session. Her own creations will be on display from March 4 through March 10 to offer a preview of the workshop. A free Brown Bag Lunch lecture, "Every Hat Has a Story," presented by couture designer and dress shop owner Doreen Leaf of Hartville, will be held on Tuesday, March 27, from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.

Exhibition partners include College Fashionista, The Fashion School at Kent State University, The Hidden Pearl, and Exotic Silks.

For additional information about the exhibition or any of the related activities, visit massillonmuseum.org or call the Museum at 330.833.4061. A visit to the Massillon Museum is always free.

The Massillon Museum is located at 121 Lincoln Way East in downtown Massillon. Visitors to the New Look exhibition will also be able to an exhibition opening in Studio M-Chris Muller presents The Year of Chris; two Civil War displays; a gallery of photographs of Massillon's historic Fourth Street; The Paul Brown Era in the Massillon Tiger Football Gallery; The Immel Circus; Oscar, the skeleton; and the operational vintage photobooth. The Museum shop, OhRegionalities, and the Chit Chat Coffee Shoppe are located in the lobby.

Another Look at the New Look Events

Saturday, January 21
Exhibition Opening: Another Look at the New Look
7:00 to 9:00 pm - Free / Public / No reservations - Refreshments
Fashions from 1940 to 1965, MassMu collection and loans from the KSU fashion design and merchandising students
Guest curator: Steven Rosengard, Project Runway Season 4 contestant and Assistant Curator at the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago

Sunday, January 22
Panel Discussion with Project RunwayTM Designers
1:00 pm - Free / Public / No reservations
Another Look at the New Look exhibition curator Steven Rosengard, Season Four
Carmen Webber, Season Four; Valerie Mayen, Season Eight

Wednesday, January 25
Film: Coco Before Chanel
FREE at 6:30 pm, Massillon Public Library

Saturday, February 4
Do the Mu! Your Dior!
Noon to 2:00 pm - Free / No reservations - All ages
Join in any time during the two hours for this monthly activity time

Saturday, February 18
Film: Funny Face
FREE at 2:00 pm, Massillon Public Library

Saturday, March 3
Do the Mu! Fashion Design 101
FREE Noon - 2:00 pm
MassMu Lobby, Heather Haden, Instructor

Saturday, March 10
Judi Krew: The House of Hoard- A Collector's Collection of Hoard Couture
FREE 10:00am - Noon
MassMu Lobby. Dresses exhibited March 4 - 10

Thursday, March 15
Film: The Devil Wears Prada
FREE 7:00 pm
Lions Lincoln Theatre

Tuesday, March 27
Brown Bag Lunch Lecture: "Every Hat Has a Story"
Doreen Leaf, Designer
12:10 to 12:50 pm - Free / Public / No reservations - Seats fill early
Bring lunch or buy sandwiches, sweets, and specialty beverages at the Chit Chat Coffee Shoppe
Enjoy complimentary coffee and cookies