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"The 1970 Look"

Design House Simonetta et Fabiani French
Designer Simonetta Italian
Designer Alberto Fabiani Italian
1963
Not on view
This dress is part of a 1964 time capsule of predicted fashions. It is prescient in its prediction that by 1970 skirts would be thigh-high and that long thigh-high boots would be incorporated as part of the look. The construction of the jacket is inventive and the garment as whole, beautifully constructed. It is rare to see a Simonetta et Fabiani garment because they worked together for such a short time.

According to donor records, this garment was part of a time capsule labeled 'Seven Days in May;' 7 Years of Prophesy Fashions, 1963-1970, to be opened May 1, 1970. A full collection of clothing was made for the promotion of the movie 'Seven Days in May' starring Kirk Douglas and Ava Gardner." Ray Stark, producer of the movie, approached Eleanor Lambert to assemble seven key designers, each from a different country to create a costume of 1970, which would represent the total look as he imagined it would be. The Brooklyn Museum agreed to hold the costumes in a sealed trunk until May 1, 1970, when it would be opened and would be accessioned into the museum collection. Sketches of the garments were executed by Joe Eula.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "The 1970 Look"
  • Design House: Simonetta et Fabiani (French, 1962–1965)
  • Designer: Simonetta (Italian, born 1922)
  • Designer: Alberto Fabiani (Italian, born ca. 1910)
  • Date: 1963
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: wool, leather, cotton
  • Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Seven Arts Production, Joel Productions and Paramount Pictures Corporation, 1964
  • Object Number: 2009.300.344a–e
  • Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute

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