Dress c. 1936

This is a watercolor and graphite drawing of a dress by Nancy Crimi. At first glance, the eye is drawn to the dress's tiered form, and the interplay between transparency and opacity. Crimi composes the dress with a combination of red plaid and lace. The adjacent, more formal sketch, adds another layer to the work. Looking closer, the plaid pattern is disrupted by the semi-transparent material and white embroidery. The dress is a semiotic system, with the plaid signifying order and tradition, while the lace evokes femininity. However, the pattern is skewed, destabilizing the established meanings. The tiered skirt challenges the fixed meanings of fashion and identity. Ultimately, Crimi's dress engages with the interplay between order and disruption, exploring the power of clothing. But its true function lies not just in its aesthetic appeal, but in its ability to create new ways of thinking about space, perception, power, and representation.