New York City

Power is part identity, part behavior, and part physicality. The way we outfit ourselves can convey power to others. However, power is not easily defined. It is political position and economic status, but also military strength, sexual authority, rebellion, and protest.

Power Mode: The Force of Fashion explores the role fashion plays in establishing, reinforcing, and challenging power dynamics within society. It includes both men’s and women’s clothing from the 18th century to the present, organized thematically to concentrate on five categories. Each category is devoted to a particular type of sartorial “power:” military, suits, status, rebellion, and sex. Join Royal Oak as we tour the exhibition with Associate Curator, Emma McClendon.

We will explore the different modes of status dressing that have emerged over the last 250 years, from the robe à la française to contemporary “It” bags and 21^st-century logo-covered products.