Seduction and Fashion.

Throughout history, men and women have utilized seductive clothing to enhance physical attractiveness, as well as to convey a sense of power and social status.

The Museum at FIT (New York) presents Seduction (on view through June 16, 2009), the first chronological exploration of the role of sexuality in fashion, and examines the complex relationship between seduction and clothing.

The exhibition includes a wide range of seductive fashion, from the subtlest flirtations of the Victorian era to nowadays:

1) a gown from circa 1785.

2) Robert Piguet and his sensuously viscose satin gown from 1937 represent the first half of the twentieth century.


3) The 1950s is represented by Cristobal Balenciaga and his cocktail dress from 1958.


4) Halston, who defines the glamorously sexy approach to fashion, represents the 1970s.


5) Designers such as Jean-Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood took the concept of underwear-as-outerwear at the 1980s and 1990s.


6) Contemporary fashion: Olivier Theyskens for Rochas and his romantic style.


7) And finally, lingerie and shoes are featured from designers such as Agent Provocateur

and Manolo Blahnik.

(Photos by FWD and Irving Solero, Courtesy of the Museum at FIT, New York)