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Ensemble

Designer Rudi Gernreich American, born Austria
1967
Not on view
In these Gernreich creations, vertical and horizontal windows—like the zips in a Barnett Newman painting overlaid on a figure—delineate an axis of nudity on the body. These dresses appeared on the cover of "Time" (December 1, 1967) accompanying a story on Gernreich that described him as "the most way-out, far-ahead designer in the U.S." The ensembles exemplify Gernreich's famous declaration: "A woman today can be anything she wants to be—a Gainsborough or a Reynolds or a Reynolds Wrap." Apparently, she can also be a Saran Wrap. (Shown with 1988.74.1a-f in foreground, also by Gernreich.)

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Ensemble
  • Designer: Rudi Gernreich (American (born Austria), Vienna 1922–1985 Los Angeles, California)
  • Date: 1967
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: wool, plastic, nylon
  • Credit Line: Gift of Léon Bing and Oreste F. Pucciani, 1988
  • Object Number: 1988.74.2a–e
  • Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute

More Artwork

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Bathing suit, Rudi Gernreich American, born Austria, wool, American
Bathing suit
Rudi Gernreich
Harmon Knitwear
1960s
Bathing suit, Rudi Gernreich American, born Austria, wool, American
Bathing suit
Rudi Gernreich
Westwood Knitting Mills
ca. 1968
Ensemble, Rudi Gernreich American, born Austria, silk, plastic, American
Ensemble
Rudi Gernreich
early 1970s
Skirt, Rudi Gernreich American, born Austria, cotton, American
Skirt
Rudi Gernreich
1955–59
Hood, Rudi Gernreich American, born Austria, wool, American
Hood
Rudi Gernreich
1966

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