BY: JESSICA SVENNINGSON
Iconic people are often marked by their iconic clothing. Once these people are no longer wear those fashions – have you ever wondered what happened to their fashion items? Most of these find their ways into museums – lets look at 5 of the world’s iconic fashion items and where they are now.
Jackie Kennedy's Watermelon Pink Suit
Jackie Kennedy arriving at John F. Kennedy's Inauguration. Source |
Jackie Kennedy was an American style icon. The outfit she is
most known for was her watermelon pink Coco Chanel suit and matching pillbox
hat she wore the day her husband John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. The
pink suit was covered in John F. Kennedy’s blood, and despite repeated
suggestions to change her clothes, Jackie Kennedy refused and said, “No, let
them see what they’ve done”. When Jackie finally stepped out of the suit, it was
collected and preserved by the National Archives in Maryland. Stored there out of sight, the suit is under the purview of the Kennedy family, who have confirmed it will not be publicly displayed until 2103.
Frida Kahlo’s Booted Prosthetic Leg
Frida Kahlo's prosthetic leg on display at the V&A. Source |
Frida Kahlo, famous feminist artist and proliferate
supporter of Mexican culture, is often coloured by her tragic story of a near-fatal
bus accident that severely compromised her spine, which later led to extended bed
rest and leg amputation. In classically radical and rebellious fashion, Frida wouldn’t
let her physical issues prevent her from leading an extraordinary life. She
would adorn herself with vibrant colours central to Mexican culture, fill her
home with gardens and exotic pets, paint herself with bright makeup, and cover
her hair with flowers. When she was given a prosthetic leg, she strapped a beautiful
red boot to it, making it as beautiful as the clothing she wore.
When Frida died in 1954 at the age of 47, husband Diego
Rivera locked away all her possessions with instructions to never touch them
until after his death, over 50 years later. The collection was opened in 2004, revealing
a treasure trove of items like makeup, clothing, jewelry, and intimate
possessions which Frida had used to construct her identity. The collection is
currently being exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London,
England. The exhibit explores how Frida empowered herself using art, clothing
and style during the most difficult times in her life.
Ginger Spice’s Union Jack Platform Boots
Ginger Spice's shoes on display at the Bata Shoe Museum. Source |
Geri Halliwell, or better known as Ginger Spice, was known
for her wild outfits and love for the British Union Jack. Along with her Union
Jack “little Gucci dress,” Ginger and the other four Spice Girls loved to wear
platform boots. This pair of Union Jack platform boots was worn by Ginger
Spice during the Spice World movie,
and now currently lives at the Bata Shoe Museum. The boots are presently in storage
but will periodically be featured in the Bata’s shoes of famous people exhibit
on the first floor of the museum.
Abraham Lincoln’s Stovepipe Top Hat
Abraham Lincoln's hat on display at the Smithsonian
Institution. Source
Despite Lincoln’s 6’4” height, he wore a tall stovepipe top
hat to accentuate his height even further, which became a critical piece of
political identity during his time as the 16th President of the United
States. The most famous of his hats was the one he wore the night he was
assassinated at the Ford’s Theatre on April 14th, 1865. That hat was
sitting on the ground beside Lincoln before he was shot, and the hat and the
chair Lincoln was in were quickly removed after the murder by the War Department
to be used as evidence during the shooter’s trial. The hat was donated to the Smithsonian
Institution as part of the Lincoln Memorial Association Collection and has been
known to go on display – as seen here.
Abraham Lincoln's hat on display at the Smithsonian Institution. Source |
Despite Lincoln’s 6’4” height, he wore a tall stovepipe top
hat to accentuate his height even further, which became a critical piece of
political identity during his time as the 16th President of the United
States. The most famous of his hats was the one he wore the night he was
assassinated at the Ford’s Theatre on April 14th, 1865. That hat was
sitting on the ground beside Lincoln before he was shot, and the hat and the
chair Lincoln was in were quickly removed after the murder by the War Department
to be used as evidence during the shooter’s trial. The hat was donated to the Smithsonian
Institution as part of the Lincoln Memorial Association Collection and has been
known to go on display – as seen here.
John Lennon's spectacles. Source |
John Lennon’s Spectacles
Fashion not only is a tool to define who we are as individuals, but a way to create a public identity to be known for. These iconic fashion items were an integral part of each person's public identity - becoming a part of who they are. The object's life can sometimes become as interesting as the person who once owned them, like John Lennon's glasses, which is why they find their ways into museums. They act almost like a stand-in for the person themself, and as an example of how interesting the life of an object, who out lives the person who once owned them, can be.
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