The Missouri History Museum has a new and fantastic exhibit–Little Black Dress: From Mourning to Night.

As you might guess, it details the history of the black dress…as mourning apparel and evening wear, obviously, but also as a uniform, maternity fashion, and practical, everyday wear. There was even a modern black bridal gown! A whole section was also dedicated to Coco Chanel’s influence on this fashion staple.

There is so much information crammed into the exhibit, from historical facts to information about local designers:

There are even some accessories thrown in here and there:

One of our favorite parts was the hands-on designer’s studio. There are both computer designs, and a mannequin to dress with a variety of fabrics and ribbons:

I really loved this exhibit. It combined my love of history with my love of fashion, and helped me learn a little more about St. Louis in the process. I highly recommend stopping by and checking it out!