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Blank Canvas: 1920s Fashion
On view in Mechanical Hall Gallery from Feb. 3 through May 15, 2026
Blank Canvas: 1920s Fashion explores how the chemise silhouette offered limitless creative possibilities for conveying the 1920s zeitgeist. Described as tubular or vertical, the chemise hangs straight from the shoulders, generally fitting loosely, with occasional decorative emphasis at the hips. It emerged as armor for the new modern woman, providing a platform to communicate their identity and ideals.
In contrast to the restrictive Edwardian styles of the early 1910s, the chemise silhouette was more functional, offering women greater freedom of movement through its simpler shapes and rising hemlines. This simple silhouette and its variations provided a means of self-expression aesthetically, socially and culturally, as this period witnessed significant changes in women’s clothing, driven by industrialization, women’s suffrage and various artistic movements.
Fabrics and designs drew inspiration from Art Deco, jazz culture, Egyptian, African, Eastern European and Asian traditional dress, allowing women to convey their global awareness. At the same time, the expanding ready-to-wear industry made fashionable clothing more accessible than ever. Together, these forces cemented the 1920s as a pivotal moment in which clothing became a powerful medium for expressing individuality and freedom.
This exhibition was curated by Jan Gardner Broske, UD Museum’s collections manager and curator; Belinda T. Orzada, professor in fashion and apparel studies; Dilia López-Gydosh, assistant professor in fashion and apparel studies and director of the historic costume and textiles collection; and Kelly Cobb, associate professor in fashion and apparel studies.
Mechanical Hall Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
