FASHIONable In Communist Poland
19.12.2015-17.04.2016From 19 December 2015 to 17 April 2016, the Main Building of the National Museum in Krakow will hold an exhibition titled FASHIONable in Communist Poland which reflects the unique character of fashion in the post-war decades. It features both casual, everyday clothing and creations by prominent designers who worked in Poland in the years 1945-1989.
The exhibition, jointly organised by the National Museum in Krakow and the National Museum in Wrocław, demonstrates how difficult and important it was to be fashionable in communist Poland. Women escaped from the hostile reality of the communist state to the world of fashion. Poles were determined to follow the trends and tried to draw inspiration mainly from the West. Women wanted to be 'FASHIONable', although the grim reality of empty store shelves did not make it easy. Dozens of items of clothing displayed at the exhibition testify to the creativity and entrepreneurship of the female residents of the Polish People's Republic. Today, these two traits are associated primarily with businesswomen or celebrities, whereas our mothers and grandmothers had to demonstrate them every day.
Today's 'old-school'-themed parties and experimenting with vintage clothes introduce the objects from the past to the present fashion bloodstream and endow them with current meaning.
The variety of clothing displayed in the exhibition FASHIONable in Communist Poland is so great that the modern fashionistas will be able to draw numerous ideas from their older counterparts. To prove it, the most interesting creations are presented in contemporary styling in photographs taken by the team from the NMK Photography Studio under the direction of Jacek Świderski.
Curators: Joanna Regina Kowalska (National Museum in Krakow),
Małgorzata Możdżyńska-Nawotka (National Museum in Wrocław)
Coordinator: Olga Jaros
Design: Elżbieta Szurpicka
MNK The Main Building
al. 3 Maja 1 Temporary Exhibition Hall, ground floor- Monday: closed
- Tuesday - Sunday: 10.00-18.00
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This item could satisfy even the most fastidious fashionistas. Note the interesting contrast between the matt fabric of the dress and the lustre of the peplum and sleeves. "Moda Polska" 1988, property of NMK / present-day shoes / photo by Bartosz Cygan - Photography Studio, NMK
early 1970s, donated by Stanisława Majcher 2015 / present-day necklace, handbag and shoes / photo by Karol Kowalik - Photography Studio, NMK
property of Marta Graczyńska / present-day scarf, handbag and sandals / photo by Mirosław Żak - Photography Studio, NMK
Juxtaposition of a working suit cut and the candy colour of the cotton fabric makes the outfit fashionable and fun. Some of the most successful designs by Barbara Hoff included suits – made in different styles and for every occasion. Hoffland collection 1979, property of the National Museum in Warsaw / Present-day scarf and shoes / photo by Jacek Świderski - Photography Studio, NMK
1962, donated by the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź 2004, property of Central Museum of Textiles in Łódź / photo by Karol Kowalik - Photography Studio, NMK
c. 1975, donated by professor Z. Żygulski junior 2006, property of the NMK /present-day sandals / photo by Jacek Świderski - Photography Studio, NMK
Brunon Kamiński's atelier created fish-shaped (1978) or snake-shaped (1982) shoes as well as classic elegant high heels. 1962 saw the creation of a special model to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Polish People's Republic. The services of the famous shoemaker were sought by Władysław Gomułka himself. / photo by Karol Kowalik - Photography Studio, NMK