Explore the ways in which fashion responded to the cultural changes and social demands of a post-World War Two world with the Massillon Museum’s upcoming exhibition, Another Look at the New Look. The exhibition will feature selections from the museum’s permanent collection along with garments created by designers from television’s Project RunwayTM.

It will open on Saturday, January 21, and continue through Sunday, April 1, 2012. The exhibition opening on Saturday, January 21, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., will be free and open to everyone; no reservations will be necessary. Visitors are welcome (but not required!) to dress for the runway.

Inspired by French designer Christian Dior’s iconic 1947 debut collection, quickly dubbed “the New Look” by the American press, this exhibition examines the precedents, the backlash, and the antecedents of Dior’s highly feminine silhouette. It features clothing worn by the average woman for everyday wear, showing how the silhouette was adapted for different garments. The New Look became iconic in its association with the feminine 1950s woman as she emerged from a time when fabric had been rationed to conserve resources for soldiers, and where women had gone to work in factories and in other nontraditional professions.

This exhibition is presented from both a design and historical perspective, featuring mass-produced versions and homemade interpretations of the New Look as worn by several Massillon women.

Included in the exhibition will be selections from the permanent collection of the Massillon Museum, organized chronologically from 1940 to 1965. Supplementing the Museum’s collection will be garments created by designers from television’s reality show, Project RunwayTM—Jack Mackenroth (Season 4), Valerie Mayen (Season 8), Sweet P Vaughn (Season 4), and Carmen Webber (Season 4)—especially for this exhibition.

“The element of including Project RunwayTM designers will present a unique opportunity for Museum visitors and fans of the television show; creating access to experiences like this one is what we’re all about.” Alexandra Nicholis Coon, Executive Director of the Massillon Museum.

In conjunction with the exhibition, will be a number of free workshops, films, and lectures. See the schedule of events below and visit massillonmuseum.org for more information.

Sunday, January 22, at 1 p.m.
Project Personal: A Panel Discussion with Project RunwayTM Designers
Moderated by William Perrine of The Fashion School at Kent State University, the designers will talk about their reality TV experiences and the journeys that brought them to where they are today as designers.

Wednesday, January 25, at 6:30 p.m.
Free Viewing of Coco before Chanel at the Massillon Public Library

Saturday, February 4, from noon to 2 p.m.
Do the Mu! — Your New Look
Free drop-in event for all ages with instructor Libby Doss

Saturday, February 18, at 2:00 p.m.
Free Viewing of Funny Face at the Massillon Public Library

Saturday, March 3, from noon to 2 p.m.
Do the Mu! — Fashion Design 101
Free drop-in event for all ages with instructor Heather Haden.

Saturday, March 10, at 10:00 a.m.
The House of Hoard—A Collector’s Collection of Hoard Couture Workshop- Lead by artist Judy Krew
In this free workshop, Judy Krew invites participants to bring a bin of saved “stuff” to use to create miniature dress sculptures during the session.

Thursday, March 15, at 7:00 p.m.
Free Viewing of The Devil Wears Prada at the Lions Lincoln Theatre

Tuesday, March 27, from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.
Free Brown Bag Lunch Lecture — “Every Hat Has a Story”
Presented by couture designer and dress shop owner Doreen Leaf of Hartville.

For additional information about the exhibition or any of the related activities, visit massillonmuseum.org or call the Museum at 330.833.4061. A visit to the Massillon Museum is always free. The Massillon Museum is located at 121 Lincoln Way East in downtown Massillon.