Mugler: Fetish, Fashion, and Supermodels

What does a flying shoe suggest in a Rococo painting? How did Marie Antoinette’s cotton dress become a threat to the social order? Why did a slipping shoulder strap scandalise Parisian high society? And what lies behind the seemingly innocent tulle skirt of Degas’s Little Dancer? The lecture journeys through the masterpieces at the heart of the book, inviting us to discover how a fold of fabric, a collar, a fan, or a hat can become a hidden passage into another world. In each artwork, clothing conceals secrets and tells the stories of those who wore it. These garments reflect the period in which they were created, as well as the changes that unfolded over time. The paintings reveal shifting attitudes towards the body, fashion, and femininity – and remind us that fashion is not a luxury, but a way of living, loving, and dreaming.

What does a flying shoe suggest in a Rococo painting? How did Marie Antoinette’s cotton dress become a threat to the social order? Why did a slipping shoulder strap scandalise Parisian high society? And what lies behind the seemingly innocent tulle skirt of Degas’s Little Dancer? The lecture journeys through the masterpieces at the heart of the book, inviting us to discover how a fold of fabric, a collar, a fan, or a hat can become a hidden passage into another world. In each artwork, clothing conceals secrets and tells the stories of those who wore it. These garments reflect the period in which they were created, as well as the changes that unfolded over time. The paintings reveal shifting attitudes towards the body, fashion, and femininity – and remind us that fashion is not a luxury, but a way of living, loving, and dreaming.

Jackie Kennedy, one of the most iconic women to ever hold the title of First Lady of the United States, captivated the world with her extraordinary sense of style that reshaped the landscape of fashion. Kennedy redefined the role of the First Lady not only on the political and formal stage, but also as a symbol of American glamour and style. In this moving lecture, we will journey through her life and discover how pastel suits, pillbox hats, pearls, oversized sunglasses, and her signature hairstyle became enduring icons of fashion and femininity. Jackie’s life was marked by dramatic turns, highs and lows: her years in the White House, coping with the grief of her husband’s assassination, raising her children as a single mother, her second marriage, and her later years in New York. Her elegant style, blending grace with effortless charm, continues to inspire designers, public figures, and fashion lovers around the world. Through her fashion and personal choices, we will uncover how she left a lasting mark on American culture — and how fashion can become a symbol of resilience and comfort in times of loss and tragedy.