For decades, men have predominantly shaped the landscape of women’s fashion. As a response to this historical imbalance, the forthcoming exhibit at the Met Museum’s Costume Institute is poised to make a significant statement.

Titled “Women Dressing Women,” the exhibition is set to showcase over 80 fashion items from the 20th century onward. It serves as a celebration of the enduring legacy of women-led fashion houses, with a spotlight on visionaries like Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garçons.

Scheduled to open on December 7, this exhibition promises to be a tribute to the creative genius of more than 70 women designers. Among them are renowned figures such as Ann Lowe, Claire McCardell, Pia Davis, and Autumn Randolph for No Sesso, as well as iconic names like Miuccia Prada. Notably, it also features lesser-known designers whose contributions have been “historically underappreciated,” as noted by the Met’s director, Max Hollein.

Women designers have often toiled diligently in the background, overshadowed by their male counterparts. “Women Dressing Women” takes root in this very narrative, recognizing the pivotal role played by anonymous dressmakers who paved the way for the rise of women-led fashion brands today.

The exhibition delves into the world of Parisian designers who quietly worked behind-the-scenes in haute couture studios during the early 20th century. It also pays homage to historically significant women designers like Ann Lowe, the creative mind behind Jackie Kennedy’s iconic wedding dress in 1953. Visitors can expect to explore key works by fashion luminaries like Elsa Schiaparelli, Elizabeth Hawes, and Ann Demeulemeester, among others.

Adding a contemporary twist, the exhibit will also feature pieces by some of today’s hottest designers, including Iris Van Herpen, who recently made waves at Paris Couture Week with her ocean-inspired gowns, and Simone Rocha, known for her fairytale-inspired fashion adorned with tulle, rhinestones, and bows.

Mellissa Huber, the associate curator of The Costume Institute, emphasizes the pivotal roles played by women in fashion throughout history. She expresses the intention behind the exhibition, stating, “In recognizing that the contributions of women to fashion are unquantifiable, our intention with this show is to celebrate and acknowledge through a focus on The Costume Institute’s permanent collection, which represents a rich timeline of Western fashion history.”

Huber hopes that the exhibition will facilitate meaningful conversations and highlight the diversity of women’s significant contributions to the field. “We hope that this exhibition will foster impactful conversations between our visitors and across the designers’ larger bodies of work, highlighting the plurality and diversity of women’s important contributions to the field,” she concludes.