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Love and War: The Weaponized Woman
 

Christian Francis Roth, grey wool “armor” skirt suit, 1993, USA, gift of Christian Francis Roth.

 

 

 

Christian Francis Roth

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Love and War: The Weaponized Woman
September 9 - December 16, 2006
It is not necessary to utilize metal to be inspired by armor. A number of designers have created jackets and suits that reference armor, but are made of conventional fabrics. The American designer Christian Francis Roth, for example, designed an “armor” skirt suit in grey wool with horizontal tucks that resemble steel plates. Also featured in Love & War is a “samurai armor” ensemble by Giorgio Armani, including a jacket of taupe silk with overall parallel trapunto, creating the illusion of armor plating, and an “armor” jacket in silver leather by Ralph Lauren. The appeal of such garments lies in the symbolism that armor carries–of
protection and invulnerability.

 

All photographs by Irving Solero, courtesy of the Museum at FIT, unless otherwise noted.

The exhibition is organized by Dr. Valerie Steele, director and chief curator; Patricia Mears, research curator; Fred Dennis, associate curator of costume; and Clare Sauro. assistant curator of accessories. It is made possible in part through the generosity of The Coby Foundation, Ltd., New York. 

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