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British Fashion Awards 2020 Winners

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“Who is leading change in fashion?” asked the British Fashion Council ahead of the 2020 Fashion Awards, which premiered on Thursday Dec. 3 in a short film on the BFC’s Youtube channel — where 20 individuals and brands were recognized for leading positive change in the fashion industry during a very unpredictable year.

Instead of the usual focus on best designer, the BFC started fresh with four new categories of awardees: environment, people, community, and creativity. “From those who bravely faced this challenging year with pro-active responses to the global pandemic, showed leadership and creative resilience over the past year, to the ones who stood up against prejudice within the fashion industry and fight for change,” said the BFC in a press statement. Ahead, are the winners . . .

Community

Emergency Design Network
Launched by Phoebe English, Bethany Williams, Holly Fulton, and Cozette McCreery, “harnessed the power of London’s fashion community. Galvanizing industry experts to produce 50,000 surgical gowns and 10,000 sets of scrubs for British health workers.”

Michael Halpern
“During the Covid-19 lockdown, rather than stage a show for London Fashion Week, Michael paid tribute to the frontline workers. He captured eight women from across the public service sectors in film and portraits, reflecting on their work, sparking joy and hope.”

Chanel
“Chanel uses its influence to create positive change. Through the work of foundation Chanel, it is committed to improving the economic and social conditions of women worldwide. It has developed a racial justice fund to support grassroots organizations led by people of color.”

Kenneth Ize
“Dedicated to preserving African craft and heritage through a community of weavers, artisans, and design groups placing Nigerian cultural heritage on a global stage.”

A Sai
“Actively standing against injustice to make fashion inclusive and kind. A Sai Ta uses his voice to offer an end to discrimination against marginalized communities and committing profits to organizations that support the end of systemic discriminations and racism.”

People

Edward Enninful
“As editor of British Vogue, he is an agent of change, holding a mirror up to the industry.”

Lindsay Peoples Wagner and Sandrine Charles of Black In Fashion Council
“In June 2020, Lindsay, editor of Teen Vogue, and Sandrine, PR executive, launched the Black In Fashion Council whose aim is to set a new foundation for diversity, inclusion, and accountability to the fashion industry.”

Samuel Ross
“A part of a new generation of menswear designers. His brand, A-Cold-Wall* has a big impact on the communities that he works with. His Black Lives Matter financial aid scheme pledges money to organizations and people on the front line. He gave thousands of dollars to businesses with Black owners across a diverse range of areas.”

Aurora James
“This year, Aurora James spearheaded a pioneering campaign calling on retailers to dedicate 15 percent of their shelf space to Black-owned brands. This, along with her community of communities and artisans through her brand Brother Vellies, makes her a trailblazer.”

Priya Ahluwalia
“A progressive-thinking leader and agent

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Alec Kesheshian Revolutionizes the Fashion Industry With God’s Dream

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MELROSE AVENUE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 3, 2020 / Brilliant ideas and remarkable vision are brought to life when they are sparked with passion, dedication, and grit. No matter how skilled and talented an individual is, the ultimate realization of a dream will always boil down to determination, drive, and discipline. And as someone who believes in the value of hard work and perseverance, Alec Keshishian, the esteemed founder of God’s Dream, shares with the world how he was able to reach the summits of success through his diligent efforts.

Although he has already made his mark on the industry, Alec Keshishian would always look back on his stark beginnings to remind himself of his mission, igniting creativity and promoting individuality. And for this reason, his clothing line is all about celebrating uniqueness and stirring confidence. With designs that speak volumes about his vision, God’s Dream is making significant strides towards the forefront of the fashion industry.

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the world had to impose health guidelines and take serious precautions. But before the pandemic resulted in international travel bans, Alec Kesheshian decided to unwind and take a trip to the Amalfi Coast and bask in its glory. He initially planned this escapade to experience the tight-knit nightlife and break away from his Bel Air roots. However, he stumbled upon something more valuable than peace and relaxation. Because of this trip, the visionary found the inspiration to build a high-quality fashion line.

According to Alec Keshishian, it was impactful and empowering to walk on the grounds where some of the most celebrated fashion houses in the world originated. With the time he spent in Milan, he found himself sampling premium fabrics and creating design flats for his production company. He then felt heavily inspired to bring such a world-class level of craftsmanship back to Los Angeles and start a brand that would bring people together.

Going back to the United States, Alec Keshishian brought out his creative flair and built God’s Dream-a revolutionary lifestyle clothing company grounded on utopian ideals. And proving to be unstoppable at his game, he developed a cut-and-sew line and within the span of a few months. On top of that, he also opened a brick-and-mortar store on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles.

In an interview, Alec Keshishian shared that it took him a lot of failures before he finally created a successful venture. He admitted that those rejections left him feeling defeated and discouraged. But instead of wallowing in despair, the determined fashion designer tried to pick himself back up and pursued his dreams with a stronger and more resilient mindset. Had he given up on his creative endeavors, he would not have shaped God’s Dream into the empire that it is today.

More than just a clothing brand, God’s Dream is a lifestyle that aims to provide individuals with a voice. Alec Keshishian believes that his designs help people express themselves through creativity, boldness, and ingenuity. And as someone who has

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Christine Centenera: ‘Fashion is all subjective: nothing is right or wrong’

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My personal style signifier is a well-cut blazer and leggings, which is what I’ve worn in my professional life for as long as I can remember. It frames my shape, which I like, and makes me feel confident no matter what situation I’m in.

I used to wear black all the time. Travelling a lot, I found it was the best way to pack, because it would always look good and working with one tone meant endless outfit options. But in the past 12 months I’ve been actively buying more colour – mainly different shades of blue, from cornflower to sky. I think these days I need a bit of optimism in what I put on my body.

Ceramics made by Centenera at home on her kiln
Ceramics made by Centenera at home on her kiln © Jake Terrey

The last thing I bought and loved was a kiln for the house I share with my partner, the actor and filmmaker Joel Edgerton, in Sydney. I’d done classes here and there in LA and Venice, but I found the whole scene around ceramics and pottery a bit much. It can be quite elitist. So this year we got our own kiln – it’s manual and you can’t leave it unattended, so when you fire it you have to commit to being home day and night. It can be on for between 10 and 14 hours. I just do hand-building rather than using a wheel – I like the thumbprints and the slow pace. I often make large-scale pieces, which take a bit of time. I give a lot of the finished pieces away – I gave one to Virgil [Abloh] for his 40th. I’m also not very good – it sounds like I’m some expert, but I’m really not. 

And on my wishlist is a thriving Freedom Garden – I know the project’s founder Lily Kwong, who is a landscape designer, and have been following her mission to encourage people to grow their own edible gardens. I don’t have an outdoor space in New York, so it’s a novelty to have soil and grass while I’ve been in Sydney. I went down this rabbit hole of looking at regenerating soil and planting things that were in season, and we’ve changed our whole garden to include more native plants. It’s starting to grow and now we’re able to eat the produce. freedom-gardens.com

Centenera at her house in Sydney © Jake Terrey
Bondi Beach. Centenera lives between Sydney and New York
Bondi Beach. Centenera lives between Sydney and New York © Jake Terrey

My earliest fashion memory is dressing up with my four sisters. We were born within eight years of each other, so we’re close. Even though we had the same upbringing, we were all completely different, and that was reflected in what we chose to wear. I learned from a young age that you could express yourself through clothes. One thing that I love about fashion is that it is all subjective, and nothing is right or wrong. 

A recent “find” is a store called Yaoya in Guéthary.

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Here are the winners of the 2020 Fashion Awards

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Updated story: 4/12/2020

The British Fashion Awards took place last night in a very different way than we’re used to.



Kim Jones, Riccardo Tisci posing for a photo: Honourees were awarded over four categories for this year's digital-only event.

© Getty Images
Honourees were awarded over four categories for this year’s digital-only event.

Instead of its usual big party and celebrity-studded ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the awards were presented by Priyanka Chopra Jones, Lewis Hamilon, Aja Barber, Maisie Williams and singer Rosalía in a short film, which was accessible to the public for the first time.

The British Fashion Council (BFC) awarded 20 accolades that honoured and celebrated those in the industry that have created positive change in fashion, stood up against prejudice, and proactively responded to the pandemic – across four categories of Community, Creativity, Environment and People.

Discover the 20 winners below:

Community

  • Asai
  • Chanel
  • Emergency Designer Network
  • Kenneth Ize
  • Michael Halpern

Creativity

  • Grace Wales Bonner
  • Jonathan Anderson
  • Kim Jones
  • Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons for Prada
  • Riccardo Tisci for Burberry

Environment

  • Anya Hindmarch
  • Christopher Raeburn
  • Gabriela Hearst
  • François-Henri Pinault for leading the G7 Fashion Pact
  • Stella McCartney

People

  • Aurora James
  • Edward Enninful
  • Lindsay People Wagner and Sandrine Charles for the Black in Fashion Council
  • Ahluwalia
  • Samuel Ross

Original story: 30/11/2020

The British Fashion Council has released a trailer for the 2020 Fashion Awards, which will be taking place this week in a new format as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions placed on large gatherings in the UK. The annual event – which tends to take place in London in December and always draws in a big A-list crowd – will this year be a digital-only event.

The 2020 Fashion Awards will be held on Thursday 3 December and will “honour and celebrate the designers, brands, creatives and individuals who have created positive change within the fashion industry this year”, the BFC announced in a statement last month.

This year, there will be a focus on those who bravely and pro-actively dealt with the pandemic, who showed leadership and creative resilience and who stood up to prejudice within the fashion industry. The awards will likely celebrate and respond to efforts to encourage diversity within the fashion industry after a summer of Black Lives Matter protests which took place across the UK and around the world.

“The Fashion Awards recognises and celebrates innovation in fashion,” Priyanka Chopra Jonas, the new BFC Ambassador for positive change, says as she introduces the awards in the trailer, which you can watch below.

“What the past couple of months have shown us, is that the fashion industry is in need of a reset,” BFC CEO Caroline Rush said. “This is why this year, under unique circumstances, we felt that it was important to recognise the people and businesses who played a role in some of the most important and challenging issues of our generation and champion those who raised the bar in areas such as diversity, sustainability, and community.”

The award show, which is being sponsored by regular partner Swarovski, will honour 20 individuals

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From dogs to baggy trenchcoats: this week’s fashion trends | Fashion

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Going up

Rapping supermodels Sorry, Carla Bruni, the latest supers trend is spitting bars, as Naomi Campbell displayed with her US election rap.

Gender-neutral candles LA’s Boy Smells brand is what the gen Z hipsters are loving.

The baggy trench The new Scandi noir style takeaway, thanks to Charlotte Rampling in DNA and Julian Casablancas on SNL.

Bode Harry Styles has been wearing clothes by the upcycling label on the set of Don’t Worry Darling, and we give it a thumbs up.

Man with large dog
A man’s best friend.

Posing with your dog From Dunhill’s festive campaign to Lee “Scratch” Perry, it’s all about the pooch.

Going down

Connell’s chain We’re over Mr Waldron’s sliver of a necklace; chunky chains are where it’s at, as seen in the Missoma collection.

Ocado delivery van
Don’t forget the onions. Photograph: Reuters

Ocado orders Don’t worry about them forgetting your onions: pre-packed “mystery” boxes put the fun back into “order online”.

More Joy Christopher Kane has updated his iconic logo with a new one, Sex. On an umbrella, of course.

Celebrity wine Forget about it. Now Elon Musk’s Tesla does tequila, we’ll have what he’s having.

Hollywood hotties In the spirit of 2020, utterly weird crushes dominated the US election coverage, with everyone going gaga for the geeky newscasters.

Source Article …

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4 Changes We’ll See In The Future

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Fashion has always been known to push the envelope. With new trends and ideas, fashion has an eye towards the future. The fashion industry will see huge amounts of innovation in coming years as new technology and changing customer trends and demands will transform the industry. 

Here are four changes to expect in the future of fashion: 

1 . Data-Driven

It used to be that consumers wore whatever designers created. Those days are over, and fashion brands now use data to understand customer preferences, monitor their shopping behavior and create products that meet their needs. The future of fashion is data-driven: by leveraging data on consumer trends, brands can create pieces consumers are most likely to purchase. 

Many stores and brands, including Miu Miu and Stitch Fix, use data to predict the rise and fall of trends. Predictive analytics consider everything from climate to color preferences, social media trends and political movements. The benefits of using data in fashion are numerous: from only producing pieces consumers will actually wear to reducing waste and connecting the right consumers with pieces they will enjoy. Data also helps brands run more efficiently, giving them room to innovate and balance supply and demand. 

Fashion forecasting has long been an artform, but with the growth of data analytics, it now becomes more of a science. That data extends to algorithms. Amazon is developing a machine learning program to automatically assess if an item is “stylish” or not. Google is testing user-driven AI fashion design that uses algorithms to create new pieces and styles. Data of all kinds will soon be sewn into every aspect of fashion. 

2 . Sustainable

Fashion has long been one of the biggest contributors to waste and climate change, largely because of its unsustainable and non-eco-friendly production methods. But the tides are changing, and brands are moving towards more sustainable fabrics and manufacturing methods. 

Fast fashion, which was popular for its ability to quickly and inexpensively reproduce runway looks, is in decline in favor of slow fashion—pieces that are more eco-friendly and designed to be longer lasting. Nearly 50% of fast fashion retailers have reported a recent decrease in customer purchases as consumers look for brands that take a stand for the environment. 

Research shows that 88% of consumers want brands to help them be more environmentally friendly. Even with its strides, fashion has a long way to go. Fashion production releases 10% of the world’s carbon emissions, more than international flights and maritime shipping combined. A number of sustainable fashion brands are growing, and their innovative practices are becoming more commonplace among retailers. British design company Vin + Omi harvests its own crops to make clothing from horseradish plants and chestnuts. It also features clothing items made from recycled paint containers. Levi’s recently unveiled a new collection of denim that uses 96% less water to create—a major win for clothing that notoriously requires a lot of water to produce. 

Shopping for pre-owned items is also on the rise. The

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For 2020, The Fashion Awards Celebrated Community Over Celebrity

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The pandemic may have put paid to glitzy red carpets and show-stopping live performances, but that hasn’t stopped the British Fashion Council from celebrating the industry’s heaviest hitters in 2020. Having already spotlighted the 50 emerging creatives to watch, tonight, the prestigious Fashion Awards, usually held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, went virtual, and – much like the digital shows of London Fashion Week – was made available for those outside of the industry to watch, too.

Rather than repeating its annual format, 2020’s awards saw its hosts, including Millie Bobby Brown, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Rosalía, champion the designers, brands, and individuals who paved the way for progress in what has been an uncertain and troubling time for the industry. From adapting business models to supporting key workers, via fighting for equity and against prejudice in the face of Black Lives Matter movements this summer, 20 honourees were recognised in a 30-minute film under the pillars of environment, community, people and creativity.

“This year, under unique circumstances, we felt it was important to recognise the people and businesses who played a role in some of the most important and challenging issues of our generation and champion those who raised the bar in areas such as diversity, sustainability and community,” British Fashion Council CEO Caroline Rush said in a statement ahead of the 2020 Fashion Awards.

So, who made the fashion industry a better place this year? The Emergency Designer Network, founded by Phoebe English, Holly Fulton, and Bethany Williams, took home the community accolade for its work in harnessing the power of London’s creative efforts to produce 50k surgical gowns and 10k scrubs for British health workers. A Sai Ta‘s Actively Standing Against Injustice campaign and charitable work in dismantling systemic racism within the industry, and Michael Halpern‘s joyful celebration of 8 frontline workers in lieu of a digital show, also won them the award.



a person posing for the camera

© Provided by Refinery29



UNSPECIFIED – DECEMBER 01: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been shot in black and white. Colour version not available.) In this screen grab released on December 3, Lindsay Wagner, of Black In Fashion Council during The Fashion Awards 2020 on December 01, 2020. Due to COVID-19 and the global pandemic, The Fashion Awards 2020 celebrates designers, brands, creatives, and individuals who have lead change during this time. The Fashion Awards Digital Premiere will be streamed via fashionawards.com on Thursday, December 3, 2020, at 7PM. (Photo by Misan Harriman/BFC/Getty Images for BFC)

Lewis Hamilton presented the recipients of the people category, those who create “equal, diverse and empowered workforces from head office and supply chain to shop floor.” British Vogue‘s Edward Enninful was awarded first, with The Crown‘s Emma Corrin sending a virtual message of gratitude for the progress and positivity Enninful has injected at both the title and within the industry at large. Agents of change in holding the industry to account, Lindsay Peoples Wagner and Sandrine Charles also won the award for their work in founding the innovative

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Fashion gifts at Amazon

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If you’re like us, you don’t immediately run over to Amazon when you need to update your wardrobe or find a new pair of shoes. But now we’re telling you that you totally should. With Amazon Fashion, you can grab deals on top brands and styles you desire along with everything else in your Amazon cart.



a person standing posing for the camera: Orolay Women's Thickened Down Winter Coat

© Amazon
Orolay Women’s Thickened Down Winter Coat

As you peruse through the site for the best 5-star products, electronic gifts or gifts under $15, head over to the fashion section to find a variety of styles on sale. From winter coats (hint hint: The trendsetting Amazon teddy coat) to fuzzy slippers, keep reading to see our top fashion picks on sale now at Amazon.



a person standing in front of a window: Dreubeau Faux Leather Tote Bag

© Amazon
Dreubeau Faux Leather Tote Bag

PrettyGarden Long Sleeve Zip Up Faux Shearling Coat (starting at $27.99, originally $35.99; amazon.com)



a person with collar shirt: Ekouaer Long Sleeve Pajama Set

© Amazon
Ekouaer Long Sleeve Pajama Set

We’ve been hyping this Amazon teddy coat since it took over our Instagram feeds last year. Available in two different styles, a combined 19 colors and six different sizes, this coat is affordable, warm and worth a spot in your cart ASAP.

Dreubeau Faux Leather Tote Bag (starting at $13.29, originally $30.99; amazon.com)

You read that price right – this faux leather tote bag is on sale for less than $15. It’s available in nearly every color imaginable, so you’re sure to find one that will suit your needs.

LongBay Faux Fur Memory Foam Slippers ($16.95, originally $19.95; amazon.com)

Amazon has a great selection of cozy house slippers, and these are one of our favorites. The fuzzy faux fur screams warmth, while the memory foam provides unmatched comfort.

Sperry Top-Sider Women’s Saltwater Rain Boot (starting at $54.77, originally $130; amazon.com)

Sperry’s Duck boots are a winter essential whether you’re walking through the snow or on some kind of outdoor adventure. They’re warm, waterproof and durable with a design that you won’t want to stop wearing.

Hanes Sport Men’s Performance Quarter-Zip Pullover ($14.99, originally $30; amazon.com)

Want half off on a performance quarter-zip pullover? Now’s your chance. This lightweight one by Hanes uses cool DRI technology to dry fabric faster to keep you cool even while working out or on the move.



a hand holding a watch: Armitron Sport Men's digital Chronograph Watch

© Amazon
Armitron Sport Men’s digital Chronograph Watch

Orolay Women’s Thickened Down Winter Coat (starting at $149.99, originally $246.99; amazon.com)

If you’re not familiar, here’s your introduction to the notorious Amazon coat. This down jacket became popular for its unique design and ability to keep you toasty at an affordable price tag. Recently, the coat’s maker, Orolay, partnered with Olay to create a limited edition red coat inspired by Olay’s iconic moisturizer. If you want it, you can get it here as a free gift with purchase on orders of $150.



a person wearing a dress: Rocorose Turtleneck Long Sleeve Knitted Sweater Dress

© Amazon
Rocorose Turtleneck Long Sleeve Knitted Sweater Dress

Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket (starting at $29.98, originally $90; amazon.com)

Oftentimes, we don’t think about purchasing a rain jacket until it’s too late. Grab this high performance jacket from

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HomeFront: The year’s best TV, fashion history, remembering John Lennon

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TV: The setup of “Your Honor” is promising — Bryan Cranston plays a New Orleans judge whose teenage son is the driver in a fatal hit-and-run — but “much of what comes after the forceful opening is a disappointment,” says Gilbert. Four episodes in, Cranston’s character “just keeps screwing up,” and “[t]he thought of six more episodes watching more things run amok isn’t an especially happy one.”

A less suspenseful story than “The Crown” is hard to imagine, but with season 4, the series has turned a corner. Princess Diana (and Margaret Thatcher) are on the scene, and “[v]iewers who previously might have dismissed creator Peter Morgan’s drama as a stuffy spectacle . . . are suddenly enthralled,” Gilbert writes. “During this season’s 1979-1990 timeline, the family turns into a pack of wolves preying on a defenseless lamb.”

TV TALK: Globe TV critic Matthew Gilbert hosts a subscriber-only event, “The Crown and More,” Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. He’ll discuss the best of television available for streaming, including his just-released top 10 picks for 2020. You’ll hear what his job is like and have the opportunity to ask questions about your favorite shows, what to watch next, and all things TV. RSVP here.

FILM: “Another Round” is a “stinging, gorgeously filmed tragicomedy about male insecurity and the power of positive drinking,” Globe film critic Ty Burr writes in a 3½-star review. Director and co-writer Thomas Vinterberg’s tale of middle-aged men experimenting with “a program of steady, judicious daily drinking” offers a look at Danish life before it “widens its scope to the international stage and the totality of the human condition.”

Before you roll your eyes at the news that Francis Ford Coppola has re-edited “The Godfather: Part III” into “The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone,” check with Burr. The 30-year-overdue reimagining “is largely and surprisingly successful, a judiciously trimmed and re-sorted rethinking of how Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone tries to get out of the crime business and how it ‘pulls him back in’ again.”

The “darkly magnetic” Aubrey Plaza tackles “an ambiguous but emotionally sprawling dramatic role” in “Black Bear,” which earns 2½ stars from Burr. The film “turns in on itself, prompting audiences to wonder whose story is being told and in what order.” Short answer: Plaza as a screenwriter (or is she?) in need of a break, and Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon as a maybe-couple in “a high-tension examination of artistic and domestic betrayal.”

With Elliot Page in the headlines, the timing of two documentaries that explore the trans life experience is serendipitous. Matt Kliegman’s “Markie in Milwaukee” is biographical, “and it impresses with its artfulness and insight as it captures the tormented soul of its subject,” writes Globe correspondent Peter Keough. Tania Cypriano’s “Born to Be” follows plastic surgeon Dr. Jess Ting and five patients, creating an “intimately observational and moving” story.

Titling a movie “Love, Weddings & Other Disasters” is asking for trouble, and sure enough, Burr gives the “dreary, low-rent

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Peabody Essex follows a feminist thread through fashion history

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That’s right: Until four years ago, a woman had never led one of the most iconic women’s fashion brands in its 70-year history. Ever. Chiuri’s blunt corrective paraded down the runway at the Musée Rodin for Paris Fashion Week Fall 2016, and it serves as a fitting opening salvo for “Made It!” It’s a show determined to transcend aesthetic ingenuity to grapple with the social history inherent in every stitch of women’s wear, spanning centuries.

More than that, “Made It!” is about taking power to share power, bit by bit — a quiet revolution against the arbitrary strictures of gender, cloaked in lace and lamé and chiffon. “Made It!” is a joint effort between the Peabody Essex Museum and the Kunstmuseum den Haag in the Netherlands, but it’s dressed up in American garb. That’s owing both to PEM’s own extensive fashion and textile collection, well-represented here, as well as the show’s timing. Even delayed many months by the pandemic, the late-November opening meant that PEM curator Petra Slinkard could still dedicate the exhibition to the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, just as she planned. That she was able to open the show the very same month that women played a critical role in bringing about change in the White House — suburban women, we salute you — feels significant, indeed.

Not that those seeking opulent ingenuity won’t find it. There are plenty of Chanels and Lanvins, Kawakubos and McQueens. But the point of “Made It!” isn’t to celebrate uncomplicated beauty so much as it is to pay homage to the revolutionary beauty that overcame mountains of complications — social, political, economic — to thrive and empower women from one generation to the next.

The first gallery celebrates European tailoring guilds from the late 1600s.
The first gallery celebrates European tailoring guilds from the late 1600s.Kathy Tarantola/Courtesy Peabody Essex Museum

In the exhibition’s accompanying book, Slinkard makes a case for the historical entwinement of fashion with social and economic power. The opening paragraphs of her essay “At the Cutting Edge: American Fashion as Catalyst for Change” dives right into the 1824 strike of 102 women at a Pawtucket, R.I., textile factory, the first major factory strike in American history. It’s an emblematic tale about agency and opportunity taken, not given. Almost a century before they could vote, women became an organized labor force in an industry where they dominated, providing a model for generations to come.

Staking their claim in the economy also gave women blossoming power over their own appearance, which, traditionally, had been determined by how men liked to see them (one word: corsets). Mass production dominated by women led to some significant shifts in comfort, among other things. In the mid-19th century, as the ranks of women garment workers ballooned by the tens of thousands, the rational dress movement — a name you have to love — moved from tightly-wound torso binding toward loose and comfy garments like bloomers.

“Made It!” takes this foundational tale and runs with it, backward and forward. The first gallery, called “Breaking In,”

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