The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

One Dress, 70 Years of History

The first time I learned that Larry Aldrich was a fashion designer, I was shocked. Influential brands such as Chanel and Dior encapsulated my view of 1950s-style dresses, so a gown with the label of a man who founded The Aldrich seemed unfathomable. After some more research, I discovered that not only was he an accomplished designer, but he was also the president of the New York Couture Group. Two of my personal interests were put together, and I was even more thrilled to be a part of the Museum community.

I am a member of the Aldrich Teen Fellows. As part of this program, we get to work with museum staff, visiting artists, and create our own final exhibition at the end of the semester. Because of participation in the program, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the annual Aldrich Gala. I decided to try to find a vintage dress to wear to this event from Larry Aldrich’s eponymous label.

As someone who wears dresses on a daily basis, I curate my selections very carefully. The dress should be more than just a formal outfit. I wanted it to be a symbol of my appreciation for the Museum, while also being timeless and elegant, just like the institution we were celebrating. And what better way to do that than wearing one designed by the founder of the Museum!

In all honesty, the ease I had in finding the dress was truly a testament to the modernization of our world. With just a quick Google search, I scrolled through dozens of evening wear options until a shining red dress caught my eye.

I reached out to the owner of the Etsy shop to confirm the designer of the piece. After she sent me a picture of its label, I was able to match it to his collections from the late 1950s.

It was very surreal to wear a 70 year old dress, and made me feel a part of the history of the Museum. Wearing the dress did make me wonder how Larry Aldrich would feel about the legacy he forged. From his beginnings in fashion, to his work in preserving and displaying modern art, and then finally his long term mission of supporting the work of contemporary artists live on today. Though he passed away in 2001, his Museum is still providing opportunities for students and other members of the community to learn about and appreciate art. I’m very grateful to be able to honor his memory by connecting the start of his creative career to its end.