DENTON (UNT), Texas — From elaborate, hand-embroidered court dress of the late 1700s to the brightly-hued resort wear of the 1970s, floral menswear isn’t a new fashion trend.
Designers throughout history have redefined rules of dress for men through a flower-inspired aesthetic. “Bloom Men,” an exhibit opening March 3 at NorthPark Center in Dallas, will take a closer look at the use of florals in menswear through clothing from the Texas Fashion Collection at the University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design.
“’Bloom Men’ features floral fashions from the past 250 years, celebrating a long history of menswear designers and enthusiasts embracing botanical motifs,” said Annette Becker, director of the Texas Fashion Collection. “As the first exhibition of menswear in the TFC’s 82-year history, the exhibition also counters the ways that the fashion industry, fashion history and floral fashions are often gendered female and reminds us that men too have dynamic relationships with their dress.”
As part of a continued partnership with NorthPark, the Texas Fashion Collection shares its extensive permanent collection with the public in NorthPark’s arts-focused space on the shopping center’s first floor between Neiman Marcus and Dillard’s. This year’s display will run March 3 – May 17.
“Bloom Men” will feature 14 menswear looks from the Texas Fashion Collection selected by Becker to not only highlight their style, but also the cultural influence in their design and the materials and techniques used to craft each item of clothing. Garments on display include a colorful 1970s Lilly Pulitzer suit sporting the same print in two different colorways, a 2010s Dolce & Gabbana suit once worn by Dallas fashion figure Derrill Osborn and a collection of 18th and 19th century flower-patterned vests.
“We encourage visitors to look beyond what they see to understand how culture and textiles impacted the development of these fabulous pieces,” Becker said.
BLOOM MEN
When: March 3 – May 17
Where: Level One between Neiman Marcus and Dillard’s, NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expressway, Dallas
The exhibit is free and open to the public.
About the UNT Texas Fashion Collection
The Texas Fashion Collection is part of the College of Visual Arts and Design at the University of North Texas. Housed at the UNT’s main campus in Denton, this unique repository collects and documents historic dress and high fashion from past centuries through the present. The Texas Fashion Collection was created by a variety of notable groups and individuals whose vision and style continue to inspire students, researchers and visitors.
About NorthPark Center
NorthPark Center is the preeminent shopping center in the Southwest and one of the finest shopping experiences in the world with more than 230 stores and restaurants, including more than 60 market exclusives. Anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy’s and Dillard’s, NorthPark offers an unparalleled collection of luxury boutiques set amid internationally acclaimed 20th and 21st century art, award-winning architecture and extraordinary landscaping—as well as a 1.4-acre garden, CenterPark, and a state-of-the-art movie theatre, AMC NorthPark 15. NorthPark consistently ranks as one of the top five performing shopping centers in the United States and is North Texas’ number one visitor destination. NorthPark is conveniently located seven miles from downtown Dallas and 35 miles from Fort Worth. northparkcenter.com, 214-363-7441, 8687 N. Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75225.