Beyond the Little Black Dress
From design classics to cutting-edge catwalk creations, this exhibition deconstructs the little black dress and examines the radical power of the colour black in fashion.
About Beyond the Little Black Dress
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!Sponsored Links
Other Events at National Museum of Scotland
Cold War Scotland
Exploring 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 MORE
Theravāda Buddhism
This thought-provoking exhibition charts the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today.
READ MORE
Finn Finity and the Great Christmas Maths Mystery
Follow in the footsteps of the Maths Week Scotland Mascot Finn Finity, on this interactive self-guided story set at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble: Concerts for a Summer’s Night
Join the Scottish Ensemble for their annual summer concert at National Museum of Scotland on 14th July 2025!
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Sip and Stitched
Unwind and get creative at Dovecot's Sip and Stitched evening! Plus, you'll have the opportunity to explore our inspiring exhibition, Stitched: Scotland’s Embroidered Art.
READ MORE
Turner in January: Ireland’s Vaughan Bequest
National Galleries of Scotland is kicking off the 250th birthday of much-loved artist, Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), with a once-in-a-lifetime, free exhibition!
READ MORE
Writing the Great Tapestry of Scotland with Alistair Moffat
Celebrated historian, Dr Alistair Moffat MBE presents an enlightening overview of The Great Tapestry of Scotland along with a special book signing and entry to the exhibition Stitched!
READ MORE
The Way of the Cross: Photographs by Stephen Deazley
The Way of the Cross is an exhibition of photographs by Stephen Deazley, charting graffitied crosses in Scottish cities. Catch it at Upright Gallery from 22nd to 26th January!
READ MORE
City Space
Join us at the Institut français d'Ecosse on 25th & 26th January for this video installation by Donald Sinclair, featuring two films focussing on creative life in contemporary cities!
READ MORE
The Edinburgh Wedding Exhibition
Are you planning your wedding in Scotland and looking for the best Edinburgh wedding suppliers? Then come along to The Edinburgh Wedding Exhibition, one of the largest wedding shows in Scotland!
READ MORE
Exhibition: Postcards For Perec
Postcards for Perec - Two Hundred and Forty-Three Postcards in Real Colour is a travelling exhibition curated by alum Linda Parr and you can see it at the Institut français d'Ecosse in February!
READ MORE
The Scottish Colourists: Radical Perspectives
Discover this groundbreaking exhibition in partnership with the Fleming Collection, which for the first time showcases the Scottish Colourists in the context of their European contemporaries.
READ MORE
Jerwood Survey III
Jerwood Survey, a major biennial touring exhibition that presents new commissions by 10 early-career artists from across the UK, is showing at Collective Edinburgh from 28th February!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links