Stephen Burrow Spread.Indd

STEPHEN BURROWS: WHEN FASHION DANCED: EXHIBITION DETAILS Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced is the first major exhibition of the designer that The New York Times called in 1977 the “brightest star of American fashion.” Taking its cue from the over the top fabulousness of the disco era, the exhibition of slinky, sexy fashion statements presents looks favored by ‘70s style icons including Cher, Liza Minnelli and Diana Ross. On view through July 28 at The Museum of the City of New York · 1220 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10029 · 212.534.1672. Sponsored by Target. Question: What do Cher, Farrah Fawcett, Liza are too formal a word for these inventive one of the five American designers (with Minnelli, Diana Ross and Barbra Streisand all creations that swirled around the slim Halston, Anne Klein, Bill Blass, and Oscar have in common? frames of chic, partying celebs dancing till de la Renta) invited to show in Paris in dawn at Studio 54. The exhibition focuses 1973 at the legendary “Battle of Versailles,” Answer: A love for the flirty lettuce-edged on the years between 1968 and 1983 — which for the first time pitted American styles of brilliant and buoyant fashion when his designs were hotter than hot and designers against the French. He was also designer Stephen Burrows. He dressed the glamour of New York’s nightlife was at included among the “Best Six” International these fashion icons and many more celebs an all-time high. Designers in Tokyo in 1977 and in 1973 and fashionistas at a time when everyone became, the first African-American liked the nightlife, when this funky town Known for his signature “lettuce” edge, red recipient of the prestigious Coty Award (his was a disco inferno and Donna Summer zigzag stitching, the wild movement of fringe was the first of three). breathlessly chanted, “love, love to love and the glitter of metallic fabrics, clever you baby. color blocking and slinky, body-defining Burrows’ distinctive style has never diverged silhouettes, Stephen created danceable from his personal design philosophy: that Stephen entered New York’s volatile fashion designs, playful, eye-catching representations “clothes be colorful, alive, fresh, sexy, scene in the late 1960s and with his arrival of the joyous mood of the ‘60s and ‘70s, a feminine and, most of all, fun to wear. a new, liberated version of American feeling of liberation that evolved into the They must move as the body moves, be fashion was ushered in. The first African- craziness that became the disco scene. danceable, comfortable and have a great American designer to attain international His fresh, unconstructed vision was an fit, and they should give the feeling of an stature, he helped define the look of the important step for American fashion, engineered sensuality.” Color, freedom and disco scene. Stephen Burrows: When helping to transform the perception of USA danceability never left Stephen’s work, as it Fashion Danced open through July 28 at style as independent expression, rather than evolved with the changes experienced by the Museum of the City of New York is the a retread of Paris couture. the city itself, from the youthful exuberance first exhibition to focus on this artiste as an and hippie chic of the ‘60s through the American design force. It features original A trendsetter whose free form fashion glamorous, boldly sensual looks of the ‘80s. sketches, photographs, video and more than was like no other, Stephen’s career was The exhibition encourages us all to get 50 fabulous fashion statements. distinguished by a succession of “firsts” down and “boogie oogie oogie” as we look –the first American designer given a free My favorites? Richly hued layers of chiffon, back at an icon who created fashion that standing boutique called Stephen Burrows’ flowed, in a city that never slept. barely there confections in show stopping World at the trendy retailer Henri Bendel; fuchsia, lilac and fire engine red. Gowns .

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