The colour black can be interpreted in many subtle and often contradictory ways. The exhibition will explore how its complexities have made the little black dress simultaneously expressive of piety and perversion, respect and rebellion. It will examine the well-mannered cocktail attire of the early 20th century to the leather and latex worn by members of punk and fetish subcultures.
A wardrobe staple:
Beyond the Little Black Dress will open with a simple, short black dress designed by Coco Chanel in 1926. Considered radically modern, it disregarded convention entirely in both the stark design and sombre shade, that had traditionally been associated with mourning. At the time it was hailed by US Vogue as “the frock that all the world will wear”. The little black dress became a wardrobe staple, a symbol of femininity and a byword for chic, with each new silhouette capturing the spirit of its time.
Culture and politics:
The little black dress remains a blank canvas for broader political and cultural shifts. It can challenge social norms around race, gender and sexuality to reflect evolving ideals of beauty and identity, proving its infinite capacity for reinvention.
The exhibition will chart a century of fashion in a series of themed, immersive displays. Iconic early pieces by Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and Jean Muir will be juxtaposed with recent looks by ground-breaking contemporary designers and brands like Gareth Pugh, Simone Rocha and Off-White.
Black British designers:
The exhibition features Black British designers whose work explores both Blackness in terms of identity, and the role the colour black plays in crafting a futuristic, sci-fi aesthetic. Elsewhere, the exhibition considers how perceptions of the colour black differ in a global context, as well as how the intervention of smart technologies is establishing a blueprint for a more sustainable future.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Drop-in for some holiday fun and games at the National Museum of Scotland this summer.
READ MOREExploring Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War, a new exhibition will tell the stories of the Scots at the centre of this global conflict.
READ MOREExperience Scottish Opera’s immersive staging of Igor Stravinsky’s opera in the unique setting of the National Museum of Scotland.
READ MOREJoin the Maths Week Scotland team in celebrating 'Math Tales' in Hawthornden Court at the National Museum of Scotland on 28th September!
READ MOREJoin the Scottish Ensemble for their annual summer concert at National Museum of Scotland on 14th July 2025!
READ MOREDon't miss the Corstorphine Art Group 2024 Exhibition at St. Ninian’s Church Hall from Saturday 27th July to Saturday 3rd August!
READ MOREIndulge your wanderlust when you visit this solo exhibition of paintings by the renowned Belfast born artist, Sir John Lavery!
READ MOREThe Scottish Gallery’s Modern Masters series showcases the Gallery’s unique position and ability to blend meaningful historical insights with the best of Scottish contemporary art.
READ MORERecognised internationally as a master of his craft, Koji Hatakeyama presents a new series of bronze boxes for his fifth show at the Gallery.
READ MOREReturning to The Scottish Gallery with a bold new body of work, Geoff Uglow presents a review of his formative years in Edinburgh and his Rose Series.
READ MORECatch this Fringe exhibition by artists Susan Macintosh and Leonie Rutter at Birch Tree Gallery in August!
READ MOREJoin us at Dovecot this August after hours and enjoy exploring Tania Kovats ongoing series 'SEAMARKS', followed by a guided tour through 'Chris Ofili: The Caged Bird's Song'!
READ MOREVenture inside Coburg House from 2nd to 4th August and take a peek into our working studios and see what we’ve been creating!
READ MOREThe Edinburgh Fringe returns from 2nd to 26th August 2024 with artists and performers taking to hundreds of stages all over the city to present shows for every taste.
READ MORE