NYC's Women’s History Museum Dares to Make Fashion Fantastically Absurd!

Hold onto your hats, fashionistas, because the fashion world is about to get a whole lot kookier! The Women’s History Museum might not sound like a groundbreaking fashion label with a vintage boutique in NYC, but it's actually sending shockwaves through the industry with designs that make you do a double take. Dubbed one of the city's most exciting labels by Vogue, it’s redefining what clothing can be—and that’s no understatement!

Picture this: a bra adorned with birds flirting with your imagination or a hat reminiscent of a sheer beekeeper shield draping down to the ground. Their mantra? Shaking up the status quo! Brooklyn's own fashion maverick, Amalya Meira, tips her hat to them, marveling at their ability to challenge the very essence of what garments should be.

Olivia Barr, a multimedia sensation, is smitten. She describes their edgy silhouettes as a whimsical dance between a piñata's awkwardness and a punch-drunk '50s bullet bra. Now, that’s some charged imagery!

In a jaw-dropping runway show at the Church of the Village, the Women’s History Museum debuted its audacious eighth collection to an eager crowd. Models strut their stuff in a daring mix of garments, from avian-themed bras to chains brazenly skimming just enough behind to leave you speechless.

Founders Mattie Barringer and Amanda McGowan are on a mission to bring the fun back into fashion, reminiscent of the flamboyant 1980s and '90s eras. Forget the sale-crazed, meme-driven clamor of today’s corporate world; it’s all about theater, fantasy, and a little sprinkle of nostalgia.

Fashion Week enthusiast and activist Rowan Blanchard felt her excitement reignited by the duo’s daring designs. She reminisces about the empowering feeling of donning their ensemble, which she describes as nothing short of "armor."

Their origin story sounds like something out of a fashion fairy tale. Meeting as NYU undergrads, Barringer and McGowan bonded over their unique style and a disdain for the fading club scene. Living together, they crafted a closet wonderland they playfully named the Women’s History Museum. Fast forward to today: the name has stuck, and so have they.

During the pandemic, when jobs vanished, they pivoted to selling vintage clothes. Now, with a chic store launched in 2023, they’re targeting fully exploring their own brand's creativity.

While the duo will miss out on official Fashion Week action, they are prepping for an upcoming show in a cozy New York venue. Even without the grand Fashion Week hoopla, they’re betting big on cultural timing for a spectacle of fun and fantasy. In unpredictable times, McGowan believes these gatherings hold a special significance—because who couldn’t use a bit more magic in their fashion fix?