Objects of Desire

Fashion has the power to transform the wearer. Any item of clothing can allow us to embody something new and different. This collection brings together a diverse array of clothing and accessories from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. All of these items resemble, allude to, or imitate other objects, artworks, animals, or concepts. 

Fashion is often kept separate from other art forms, seen as superficial or incapable of challenging the viewer intellectually. These objects prove that fashion, like any other creative pursuit, responds to the world around it. A digital collection of these items, with context behind their materials, inspirations, and meanings, will allow viewers to appreciate these complex works of art. Additionally, metadata alluding to their subject matter and cultural references will allow page visitors to understand the clothing in context and make connections to the world outside of fashion.