The Little Black Dress at 100

For a full century, one garment has remained an icon of style, sophistication, and cultural expression: the little black dress. From its debut in the 1920s, Coco Chanel’s revolutionary design reshaped the fashion landscape, proving that simplicity—when executed brilliantly—can be endlessly powerful.

The little black dress—affectionately known as the LBD—has captivated the world for over a century. From Audrey Hepburn’s iconic silhouette in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Tina Turner’s fearless stage presence, and from 1990s red carpet glamour to today’s cutting-edge reinterpretations, the LBD remains a symbol of elegance, boldness, and reinvention.

Included in the exhibition is a reproduction of Chanel’s model 817 from 1926, a dress only known to exist as a fashion rendering; as well as dresses by Charles James, James Galanos, Halston, Norman Norell, Bill Blass, Howard Greer, Jo Copeland, Sophie Gimbel, Calvin Klein, Jacqueline de Ribes, Thierry Mugler, and Nelly Don.

Stripped of distraction, black challenges designers to showcase masterful tailoring, luxurious fabrics, and striking silhouettes. Its power lies in versatility. Whether styled for work, nightlife, celebration, or everyday sophistication, the LBD effortlessly adapts to any moment. Black is also deeply expressive. It can signify reverence or rebellion, modesty or seduction, respect or provocation. Cultural, social, and personal lenses shape how we interpret it, making the LBD a powerful medium for identity and expression.

From Chanel’s groundbreaking centennial design to Christian Dior’s assertion that black is eternally chic, the little black dress has long been a shorthand for style, sophistication, and empowerment. It is at once modest and alluring, timeless and ever evolving.

The Little Black Dress at 100 brings together extraordinary garments from multiple collections, spanning haute couture to ready-to-wear. This exhibition invites visitors to explore the enduring legacy of a single dress that continues to inspire, empower, and enchant across generations.

The exhibition has been co-organized by the Wichita Art Museum, The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, and Kansas State University’s Historic Costume and Textile Museum.

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Tour Schedule

A Little Black Dress at 100 will tour June 2027 through May 2032. The dates below reflect seven-week exhibition periods. Dates are subject to change; please contact MoreArt@maaa.org or (800) 473-3872 x208/209 for current availability.

  • June 16-August 11, 2027 Marco Island Historical Museum
    Marco Island, FL     booked
  • September 1, 2027-January 7, 2028 Elmhurst History Museum
    Elmhurst, IL     pending
  • January 28-March 16, 2028
    available
  • April 6-May 25, 2028 Haggin Museum
    Stockton, CA     booked
  • June 16-August 11, 2028
    available
  • September 1-October 20, 2028 West Baton Rouge Museum
    West Baton Rouge, LA     pending
  • November 10, 2028-January 7, 2029
    available
  • January 28-March 16, 2029
    available
  • April 6-May 25, 2029 McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
    Canton, OH     booked
  • June 16-August 11, 2029
    available
  • September 1-October 20, 2029 REFURB
    Kansas City, MO     booked
  • November 10-March 16 2030 Irving Museum & Archives
    Irving, TX     pending
  • April 6-May 25, 2030
    available
  • June 16-August 11, 2030
    available
  • September 1-October 20, 2030
    available
  • November 10-January 7, 2031
    available
  • January 28-March 16, 2031
    available
  • April 6-May 25, 2031
    available
  • June 16-August 11, 2031
    available
  • September 1-October 20, 2031
    available
  • November 10, 2031-January 7, 2032
    available
  • January 28-March 16, 2032
    available
  • April 6-May 25, 2032
    available

Exhibition Details

Exhibit contains thirty-two garments on forms.

  • Content

    Fee Includes
    Press Kit
    Registrar’s Packet
    Programming Guide
    Gallery Guide
    Text Panels
    Narrative Labels
    Full Insurance
    Installation Instructions
    Custom-Designed and Built Crates

  • Curated By

    Co-organized by the Wichita Art Museum, The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, and Kansas State University’s Historic Costume and Textile Museum

  • Organized By

    ExhibitsUSA, Mid-America Arts Alliance

  • Out-of-Region Rental Fee

    $13,000

  • In-Region Rental Fee

    $8,000

  • Duration

    7-week display

  • Shipping

    Van Line

  • Running Feet

    100

  • Square Feet

    1,000

  • Security

    Intermediate

  • Number of Crates/Total Weight

  • Insurance

    The exhibition is fully insured by ExhibitsUSA at no additional expense to you, both while installed and during transit.