Ensemble

Rudi Gernreich|Capezio Inc.

1967 · (a, c, d) wool, plastic (vinly) (b) wool (e,f) leather, plastic (vinyl) · Costume Institute

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 1988.74.2a-e in background, also by Gernreich.)

Artist

Rudi Gernreich|Capezio Inc.

Date

1967

Medium

(a, c, d) wool, plastic (vinly) (b) wool (e,f) leather, plastic (vinyl)

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Gift of Léon Bing and Oreste F. Pucciani, 1988