Women’s History Museum may sound like an institution dedicated to historical exhibitions, but it is actually an avant-garde fashion brand with a boutique in New York City. Vogue has recognized it as one of the city’s most exciting labels, gaining a following for its unconventional and artistic designs. The brand challenges traditional fashion norms by producing garments that do not necessarily look like clothing. Their creations include imaginative pieces such as a bra adorned with bird sculptures and a sheer beekeeper-style hat extending to the ankles.
Pushing the Boundaries of Fashion
The brand is best described as subverting fashion norms and questioning the purpose and function of garments. Brooklyn-based designer Amalya Meira appreciates Women’s History Museum for its thought-provoking approach to design. Similarly, multimedia artist Olivia Barr praises the label for its daring silhouettes that reshape perceptions of the human form. She likens the garments to abstract concepts, comparing their structure to a deflated piñata or a modified 1950s bullet bra. The brand’s artistic and feminist sensibilities make it stand out in the crowded fashion industry.
In September 2024, Women’s History Museum showcased its eighth collection at the Church of the Village in Manhattan. The event drew a packed audience, with models walking solemnly down the church floor in striking pieces, including the signature bird bra and an outfit featuring a chain draping down the back.
Founders Mattie Barringer and Amanda McGowan aim to bring back the theatrical and fantastical essence of fashion. They cite the 1980s and 1990s as their inspiration, preferring a time when fashion was about artistry rather than commercialism and social media influence. Designers like Vivienne Westwood and Patrick Kelly have significantly influenced their work.
Reviving Excitement in Fashion
Actress and activist Rowan Blanchard, a long-time Fashion Week attendee, credits Women’s History Museum with rekindling her enthusiasm for the industry. She walked in their show in February and described the experience as transformative. Despite her initial nervousness about not fitting traditional sample sizes, she felt empowered by the brand’s designs, which she likened to wearing armor. This inclusive and expressive approach to fashion underscores the brand’s commitment to breaking industry norms and redefining beauty standards.
Barringer and McGowan met as NYU students and bonded over their love for unconventional fashion and disillusionment with the fading New York club scene. They jokingly named their shared closet the Women’s History Museum, a name that later became their official brand when they launched in 2015.
The pandemic pushed them to focus on selling vintage clothing online, eventually leading to their boutique opening in 2023. While their primary income still comes from vintage sales, they aim to transition toward selling more of their own designs. As they prepare for their next show after Fashion Week, they embrace the opportunity to create a space where people can experience the magic and fantasy of fashion, a much-needed escape in today’s challenging times.