Dress

Vivienne Westwood|Malcolm McLaren

ca. 1982 · cotton · Costume Institute

Perhaps because it was so crucial to the social and political definitions of citizenship and, therefore, masculinity in the Roman Empire, the toga has often been a source of inspiration for contemporary designers. The "toga dress" first appeared in Westwood's spring/summer 1982 "Savage" collection. Although they were designed for women, Boy George and Steve Strange began wearing them on the London club scene in the early 1980s. Many versions had an integral hood, a design feature that references the Roman practice of drawing the toga over the head when engaged in a sacrificial or religious rite.

Artist

Vivienne Westwood|Malcolm McLaren

Date

ca. 1982

Medium

cotton

Culture

British

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Purchase, Richard Martin Bequest, 2003