There are few objects in our lives on which we lavish more attention than the wedding dress. It is not surprising that this garment has become more than just a dress for a special occasion.It is the site for incredible craft and design, displaying a wealth of fabric and decoration in celebration not only of the event for which it is made, but also of the woman who wears it and the values for which she then stands. Though all in attendance at a wedding will admire the bride's dress, few ask what ideas guide its appearance,where its essential elements come from, or what they mean. This exhibition and catalog, the result of insightful collecting and research by our Curator of Fashion Arts and Textiles, Cynthia Amneus, answers those questions.

...

Wedded Perfection: Two Centuries of Wedding Gowns is a beautifully illustrated volume which explores the compelling allure of the white, single-use wedding dress for modern women and its iconic stature in Western cuhures.

The volume presents full-length color plates and exquisite details of nearly 60 wedding gowns and dresses from the late 18th century to the present day drawn from Cincinnati Art Museum's internationally renowned permanent collection,and supplemented with loans from major designers.These include work of some of the most notable names of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Jeanne Lanvin, Christian Dior, Paco Rabanne,Vera Wang, Bob Mackie, Yohji Yamamoto and Zac Posen.

Historically, wedding dress styles have charted the evolution of women's status. Cynthia Amneus' essay examines the role of women within society and the institution of marriage and parallels it with the evolving aesthetics of wedding gowns. She explores the ideas and social mores surrounding the wedding and the way in which they have inttuenced bridal wear. Two further essays discuss the establishment of the bridal industry after World War II and the democratization of the white wedding gown for working class brides.

An interpretive entry is provided for each gown detailing construction techniques and fashionable characteristics. This is accompanied by a full length color image of the gown, details of embellishments and fabrics, original bridal photos, comparative illustrations, and information about the designers.The book also includes a select bibliography and an index.

OIRECTOR 'S FOREWORD

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

WEDDED PERFECTION: THE EVOLUTION AND AESTHETICS OF THE WEDDING GOWN IN WESTERN CULTURE BY CYNTHIA AMNEUS

BRIDES ON A BUDGET: 1880-1710 BY SARA LONG BUTLER

THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF WEDOINGS IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY BY KATHERINE JELLISON

CATALOG

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX