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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In September 2013, two topless protestors from the Ukrainian feminist group FEMEN stormed <strong>Nina Ricci'</strong>s show at Paris Fashion Week, with “fashion dictater” and “models don’t go to brothel” scrawled across their chests. (While the topless protestors won't actually be on display, works from FEMEN's archives of the protest will be)

Preview: Politics of Fashion

Preview: the Design Exchange and Jeanne Beker present an exhibit about the politics of fashion

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As an anti-fur statement in 2000, <strong>Stella McCartney </strong>designed a surprisingly chic jacket for <strong>Chloé</strong> made from plastic, glass and linen

Preview: Politics of Fashion

Preview: the Design Exchange and Jeanne Beker present an exhibit about the politics of fashion

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Androgynous pieces from Montreal designer <strong>Rad Hourani'</strong>s January 2013 collection at Paris Haute Couture Week will be on display. Hourani<strong> </strong>was the first ever designer to present a unisex show at the fashion week, representing a shift in typical ideals of femininity and masculinity

Preview: Politics of Fashion

Preview: the Design Exchange and Jeanne Beker present an exhibit about the politics of fashion

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In 1968, at the height of “Trudeaumania”, women supported <strong>Pierre Trudeau'</strong>s Liberal leadership campaign by sporting these trendy paper dresses. (Made from disposable cellulose fabric, they could only be worn about ten times)<br /><em>(On loan from the Fashion History Museum in Cambridge, ON)</em>

Preview: Politics of Fashion

Preview: the Design Exchange and Jeanne Beker present an exhibit about the politics of fashion

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Presidential candidates <strong>George Romney, Robert Kennedy</strong> and <strong>Richard Nixon </strong> also handed out promotional paper campaign dresses in 1968. (This one features Robert Kennedy)

Preview: Politics of Fashion

Preview: the Design Exchange and Jeanne Beker present an exhibit about the politics of fashion

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The legendary three-day <strong>Woodstock</strong> festival in 1969 has become symbolic of 60s hippie subculture. This utilitarian pantsuit from 1970, printed with revellers' faces, perfectly reflects the spirit of the event

(Image: Jonathan Walford)

Preview: Politics of Fashion

Preview: the Design Exchange and Jeanne Beker present an exhibit about the politics of fashion

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In his first collection as creative director for <strong>Moschino,</strong> <strong>Jeremy Scott'</strong>s fall 2014 collection featured the McDonald's golden arches dressed up as haute couture, an ironic tribute to consumer culture

Preview: Politics of Fashion

Preview: the Design Exchange and Jeanne Beker present an exhibit about the politics of fashion

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