Through printed ephemera, clothing, and accessories, the exhibition and the accompanying catalogue explore the roles played by actresses as internationally known and influential fashion leaders at the turn of the twentieth century. This aspect of popular culture, which emerged more than a hundred years ago, has a long and fascinating historical trajectory, which resonates today in a society that has become infatuated with celebrities—actresses, actors, and artists whose images are used for promotional purposes in all kinds of media and advertising.
