Goddesses in the Machine: Fashion in American Silent Film

Editorial note

Goddesses in the Machine: Fashion in American Silent Film is the first major exhibition dedicated to investigating fashion in American silent film. It reveals the untold story of costume and style in early Hollywood, from actors wearing their own clothes to the birth of the movie costume designer. The exhibition showcases garments and accessories dating from the first three decades of the twentieth century, highlighting how early cinema transformed fashion from personal expression into powerful storytelling, creating the blueprint for modern movie glamour. Curated by Michelle Finamore and Emma Cormack, the exhibition features a vibrant display of ensembles enriched by film clips, photographs, posters, and costume sketches.