Dress

Molly Goddard

fall/winter 2016–17 · nylon · Costume Institute

The ethereal ruffled layers of tulle which make up this dress by British designer Molly Goddard might be reminiscent of the marshmallows and candy cotton swirls at a child's birthday party, yet at the same time they assert a self-conscious female sensibility for their adult wearer. The three-dimensional effects on the bust and the empire waist, blooming into a full skirt give the wearer a statuesque silhouette, echoing the dignity of ancient Goddesses. Whilst perfectly serious, the dress can also be interpreted as a form of camp, a wink to the lost innocence of childhood, as described by Susan Sontag in her 1964 essay "Notes on Camp": "camp is a second childhood."

Artist

Molly Goddard

Date

fall/winter 2016–17

Medium

nylon

Culture

British

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Gift of Molly Goddard, 2020