Preview: a politically charged fashion exhibit from the Design Exchange and Jeanne Beker

Come September, visitors to the Design Exchange will be able to check out Politics of Fashion, an exhibit featuring 200 of history’s most politically charged items of clothing—from a 1970 Woodstock pantsuit to Vivienne Westwood’s iconic “God Save the Queen” t-shirt. Guest-curated by Fashion Television personality Jeanne Beker, the show will span six decades, with pieces divided into categories like war, consumerism, activism and gender. Along with works from groups like PETA and FEMA, visitors will be able to ogle a promotional paper dress from Pierre Trudeau’s 1968 campaign, Stella McCartney’s plastic-and-glass jacket for Chloé in 2000 and androgynous designs from Rad Hourani, the first unisex designer accepted into Paris Haute Couture Week. Here’s a preview of some of the most provocative pieces.

Sep. 18-Jan. 25, 2015. Politics of Fashion, Design Exchange, 234 Bay St., dx.org

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