February 2009
Sought out in the 1930s and 40s by the glamorous women of Hollywood and high society, but largely overlooked today, the unique American designer Muriel King (1900-1977) will be rediscovered in Muriel King: Artist of Fashion, on view at The Museum at FIT.
This is the first exhibition dedicated exclusively to King, whose career spanned four decades, from the 1920s to the 1960s.
The exhibition and accompanying brochure, organized and curated by FIT graduate students in the Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice program, will provide new scholarship, introduce Muriel King to the general public, highlight her artistic legacy, and identify her place within fashion history.
Interestingly, Muriel King had no formal training. She did not cut, drape, or sew.
Rather, she created watercolor fashion sketches detailing the construction and look of her designs, which her tailors and sewing staff then worked into garments.
Muriel King: Artist of Fashion will showcase King's superb sketches, many of which now belong to the Special Collections of the Gladys Marcus Library at FIT.
Also included will be her fashion designs for prominent clients, department stores, and Hollywood films.
Collectively, these will display the variety of recurring design elements in King's work, including lace, cascading ruffles, and armor-inspired embellishments.
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