Hindman is pleased to present Spring Fashion: A Century of Couture, featuring hallmarks of some of the most important moments in fashion, from the dawn of the twentieth century to the cutting edge of contemporary avant garde. In these garments, the most modern innovations find their corollaries in details of the past. Histories overlap and intertwine, and illuminate when fashion is timeless, luxurious, aspirational, revolutionary.

A sculptural Charles James gown dating from the 1940s anticipates the structured, bold tailoring of 1980s Alaïa. A corseted blazer from Alexander McQueen’s ‘Dance of the Twisted Bull’ collection, from spring/summer 2002, mirrors Yves Saint Laurent’s peasant ensemble for Rive Gauche, 1976. Maison Weeks looks towards the East to adorn an evening coat circa 1920; Yohji Yamamoto adopts Paul Poiret and Raoul Dufy’s ‘La Perse’ print in 2007. Pierre Cardin’s space-age futurism is embodied in a 1960s cape, marking man’s ascent into the cosmos. Forty years later, Junya Watanabe’s parachute dress guides these lofty aspirations back down to earth.

These iconic pieces are accompanied by a significant collection of contemporary luxury clothing, furs, and accessories. Wearable and timeless, labels such as Chanel, Hermès, and Oscar de la Renta feature prominently. Many are unworn, in pristine condition and still retain their retail labels. Spring Fashion: A Century of Couture offers a breadth of material from heritage brands and is studded by couture’s all-stars. It is a collection of garments that had, at once, paved the future of fashion, and deconstructs its very foundation. Charles James sets the stage for couture’s Golden Age, Lagerfeld holds steadfast in an iconic house, the Japanese avant garde proposes something new: each earns their place in this dynamic century, and all are on offer on March 18.

Online / Chicago