A new glossary of American fashion explores the expressive qualities of works by pioneering designers, who established the nation’s style, and the up-and-coming designers shaping its future.
In America: A Lexicon of Fashion presents a modern vocabulary of American dress that emphasizes emotions while not discounting the simple, practical, and egalitarian character that has traditionally separated American ready-to-wear from European haute couture. Stunning new photography showcases over 100 garments from the 1940s to the present that offer a timely new perspective on the diverse and multifaceted nature of American fashion.
The catalogue features works that display qualities such as belonging, comfort, desire, exuberance, fellowship, joy, nostalgia, optimism, reverence, spontaneity, strength, and sweetness by well-known designers and emerging creatives, including:
Gilbert Adrian
Geoffrey Beene
Thom Browne
Bonnie Cashin
Willy Chavarria
Olivia Cheng
Telfar Clemens
Oscar de la Renta
Colm Dillane
Perry Ellis
Tremaine Emory
Tom Ford
Rudi Gernreich
Halston
Elizabeth Hawes
Carolina Herrera
Conner Ives
Charles James
Kerby Jean-Raymond
Donna Karan
Calvin Klein
Michael Kors
Ralph Lauren
Vera Maxwell
Claire McCardell
Norman Norell
Heron Preston
Christopher John Rogers
Raul Solís
Hillary Taymour
Diane von Furstenberg
Vera Wang
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Citation
Bolton, Andrew, Amanda Garfinkel, Jessica Regan, Stephanie L. Kramer, and Anna-Marie Kellan. 2022. In America: A Lexicon of Fashion. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.