Museum of Vancouver exhibit to highlight 1940s, ’50s fashion trends

VANCOUVER – The Museum of Vancouver is planning to spotlight fashion trends of the 1940s and ’50s in an exhibition opening next month.

“From Rationing to Ravishing” will feature more than 80 historic garments and accessories, including Vancouver-made clothing and fashions from European couturiers such as Dior, Balenciaga and Schiaparelli, the museum says.

Wartime wedding dresses and Boeing Vancouver overalls will be accompanied by Hollywood star Lauren Bacall’s shoes, Peruvian soprano Yma Sumac’s dress suit and a suit from Miss Germany 1955.

The show is being created for the museum by guest curators Ivan Sayers and Claus Jahnke, who will provide many of the exhibits from their own private collections. Sayers and Jahnke also developed the museum’s 2012 “Art Deco Chic” exhibition.

Among participatory features, visitors will have the chance “to digitally wear period garments,” the museum said. As well, two fashion shows will feature examples from Sayers’ collection.

“From Rationing to Ravishing” is to run from Sept. 18 to March 8, 2015.