Statement Sleeves

The exhibition showcased nearly 80 fashion pieces from The Museum at FIT’s permanent collection – the majority of which were on display for the first time – and featured the works of renowned designers such as Balenciaga, Tom Ford, Schiaparelli, and Vivienne Westwood. They were organized thematically or by complementary aesthetics rather than chronology. The exhibition highlighted how sleeves serve as a vital mode of self-expression that reflects our gestures and movements, showcased their ability to indicate specific fashion eras and their related trends, and proclaimed their role as signifiers of status, taste, and personality.