The Italian Cultural Institute of Shanghai and the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai present the exhibition “Beauty Changes: 100 Years of Italian Fashion and Costume”, which recounts the evolution of Italian fashion from the beginning of the 20th century to the present.
The exhibition, displayed at the Bund 33 exhibition space until 29 February 2024, follows the path that led to the emancipation of women, with a narrative that aims to communicate the importance of the role of women, both as protagonists and as inspiring muses, in a single dimension, both artistic and artisanal, of Italian creativity. The exhibition presents more than 100 works from three of Italy’s main cultural sectors – fashion, opera and cinema – including clothes, drawings, documents and videos, starting from the beginnings of fashion, no longer seen as a minor art, but as a true applied art.
The works on display do not follow a chronological order, but are arranged in 12 thematic units that run through the entire exhibition space. Each space is transformed into a stage, allowing visitors to relive the most significant steps in the evolution of Italian fashion. The exhibition ends with a video session dedicated to the evolution of fashion shows, especially from the 1990s, which were part of the process that transformed the image of the ‘ideal’ woman, not only for models, but for all women.
