Ensemble

Designer Rudi Gernreich American, born Austria

Not on view

In these Gernreich creations, vertical and horizontal windows—like the zips in a Barnett Newman painting overlaid on a figure—delineate an axis of nudity on the body. These dresses appeared on the cover of "Time" (December 1, 1967) accompanying a story on Gernreich that described him as "the most way-out, far-ahead designer in the U.S." The ensembles exemplify Gernreich's famous declaration: "A woman today can be anything she wants to be—a Gainsborough or a Reynolds or a Reynolds Wrap." Apparently, she can also be a Saran Wrap. (Shown with 1988.74.1a-f in foreground, also by Gernreich.)

Ensemble, Rudi Gernreich (American (born Austria), Vienna 1922–1985 Los Angeles, California), wool, plastic, nylon, American

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