Skip to Main Content

Due to required maintenance, some galleries and artwork may be off view. Learn more.

Open today: 10am-5pm

Spring 1992

Woman's Dress

The sensuous back drape of this dress is created by a deep slash that also leaves a slit down one side of the back bodice, and another slit that opens upward from the back hem. These deconstructions are deliberately left fraying and unfinished. With no formal fashion training, Rei Kawakubo began making clothes, she said, "on a mission to challenge conformity." In her vision—austere and iconoclastic—black is strong and expressive. Beauty is found in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness.

This record is part of an ongoing effort to share accurate and evolving information. If you notice anything we should improve, we welcome your feedback at [email protected]

Images on this site are shared for educational use. For image rights, permissions, or to learn more about image rights and access, email [email protected]

Woman's Dress, Spring 1992 | Philadelphia Museum of Art