Are you a die-hard lover of designer fashions? If so, you should definitely make a trip to the nearest IMPACT exhibit. Hosted by the CFDA, or more formally known as the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the exhibit is now being showcased at museums across the United States until April 17th. Not only does the exhibit host a variety of unique clothing and dress designs from numerous designers, there are also runway photographs, fashion paintings, and vintage accessories on display. Designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, Nicole Miller, and Donna Karan were just a few of those included in the exhibit.
As I walked on the red carpet into the exhibit, I was first greeted by one of the most amazing pieces I have ever seen: a red gown covered in layered pleats with a skirt made entirely out of chiffon and tulle, designed by one of my favorite designers, Zac Posen. I was mesmerized by it. For a moment, I felt like I was Carrie Bradshaw, going on a shopping spree at Bergdorf’s; I was on cloud nine. Being able to look at the gown up close and personal really gave me insight into how much thought and effort goes into these astonishing pieces of work. You could even see how much time was put into the perfected pleats by the way they were strategically placed across the gown. It was truly a piece of art!
Another piece I was truly astonished by was the Oscar de la Renta gown. Consisting of a gold, silk taffeta gown with a black lace bodice, it was definitely a sight to be seen. It was an amazing experience to be able to see the pieces up close; personally, I’ve only ever been able to see pieces like those shown at the exhibit either on television or from looking them up online. In either case, I was never able to partake in an experience such as the one I did by visiting the IMPACT: 50 Years of the CFDA Exhibit.
Other designers such as Ralph Lauren, Halston, Vera Wang and Michal Kors also had pieces on display, ranging from eveningwear to menswear to sculptural pieces. Designer label Coach was also included in the exhibit, showcasing signature pieces that the brand is known for, such as its leather bags. There were a few vintage jewelry and accessory pieces from the 1960’s and 1970’s that were on display, which was very exciting to see.
Overall, visiting the IMPACT: 50 Years of the CFDA Exhibit was truly an amazing experience. I learned a lot about the many different pieces that were on display at the exhibit; after seeing some of the gowns and designer pieces, I left with a few new favorite designers in mind. For anyone who appreciates fashion, I highly recommend you rush to the nearest IMPACT exhibit before you miss out on a truly inspirational experience.