MARCH 13, 2020 - OCTOBER 24, 2021
Willi Smith Street Couture
This digital exhibition illuminates how American designer Willi Smith (1948-1987) and his collaborators broke down social, cultural and economic boundaries by marrying affordable, adaptable "street couture" with avant-garde performance, film and design. Choose a topic to explore exhibition objects, recollections, commissioned essays, archival video, and digital ephemera.
Fashion
Smith used fashion as a creative platform to advocate for diversity and inclusion.
Show me fashion.
Show me fashion.
Community
Stories from Smith's friends, collaborators, and admirers.
Show me community.
Show me community.
Performance
Smith wanted to see his clothing move on the street and on the stage.
Show me performance.
Show me performance.
Film
Smith wanted film “to be a whole new way to show clothes . . . a sort of fashion photo come to life.”
Show me film.
Show me film.
Design
Smith engaged with graphic, product, animation, interior, set, and architectural designers throughout his career.
Show me design.
Show me design.