Anatomy of A Dress

Anatomy of A Dress explores messages regarding how women have historically been encouraged to dress, mainly for the pleasure and subjugation of the patriarchy. Poems for this book were written as the final culmination of thoughts and research that developed over a couple of years. This process began with a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I was not writing poetry at that time. Focused on visual art, I stumbled upon an exhibit of Charles James’ gowns at the Met Costume Institute. This exhibit inspired sketches and abstract paintings. I spent hours sketching his specific architecture and people watching as visitors viewed the exhibit. I began to research James and other designers within the context of his times. While viewing the Catwalk Rijksmuseum exhibit in Amsterdam, I began to consider the changes in fashion and how they seemed based on whatever the current definition of women’s roles were at the time. The evolution from Charles James’ structural gowns to Yves Saint Laurent’s female tuxedo is an echo of social change for women underneath the patriarchal rule. This poetry speaks about my struggle and the difficulties that some women face when making a decision that most men would consider simple—   What should I wear today?