Fifty Dresses that Changed the World - Design Museum Fifty

Fashion design is both an industrial and cultural phenomenon. It stretches from the glamorous catwalks of fashion epicentres, to the industrial factories in far-flung countries. It is ever-changing, and reflects the desires and aspirations of society. It discovers and capitalizes on advances in technology.

The collection of dresses in this book provides an introduction to the path fashion has taken in the past century. It is a story that embraces social and economic change and radically fluctuating positions on gender and sexuality. From the 1915 Delphos Pleated Dress to Hussein Chalayan's 2007 LED dress, these are dresses that have gained a special place in design history.

With stunning photography selected by the Design Museum, Fifty Dresses that Changed the World is the perfect gift for fashionistas and design enthusiasts of all ages.

About the author

The Design Museum's mission is to celebrate, entertain and inform. It is the world's leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form from furniture to fashion, and architecture to graphics. It is working to place design at the centre of contemporary culture and demonstrates both the richness of the creativity to be found in all forms of design, and its importance.

Product details

• Authors: DESIGN MUSEUM ENTERPRISE LTD
• Publisher: Octopus Books
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 20.01.2026
• EAN: 9781840919806
• ISBN: 978-1-84091-980-6
• No. of pages: 112
• Series: Design Museum Fifty
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Interior design, design; DESIGN / Fashion & Accessories, CRAFTS & HOBBIES / Fashion, History of art / art & design styles, History of Art, Fashion & society, Fashion & textiles: design, History of fashion, Fashion and textile design, Fashion and beauty industries