Hello Gorgeous! Fashion, Beauty, and the Jewish American Ideal
JMM Original Exhibit on view September 18, 2005 – May 28, 2006
Hello Gorgeous!
In 1968, Barbra Streisand portrayed the famous comedienne Fanny Brice in the movie Funny Girl. Looking into a mirror, Streisand greeted her reflection with the words, “Hello, Gorgeous,” and a legendary phrase was born. Streisand spoke these words as a nod to her character’s unconventional looks and ability to transform herself from ugly duckling to superstar. Amplified by Streisand’s own distinctive appearance, the phrase became both a sneer and compliment in the American lexicon of beauty. Repeated and imitated worldwide, it still speaks to the challenges of fitting-in while maintaining one’s distinctive identity.
Hello Gorgeous! Fashion, Beauty and the Jewish-American Ideal explores cultural definitions of beauty in America, showing how Jews adopted, ignored, overcame, and re-shaped ideals. Based almost entirely on the Museum’s collections, this installation underscores the power of beauty in America. Vintage dresses, accessories, head coverings, cosmetics, surgical instruments, and grooming devices speak to the varied ways in which Jews have constructed identity through appearance. This exhibition also shows how Jews helped shape American standards of beauty through the needle trades, retail, the beauty industry, and popular culture.
The exhibition Hello Gorgeous! invites you to think about the importance of appearances in our culture, and the ways they shape identity. Come explore some of the most gorgeous objects in the Museum’s collection, and the many meanings inherent in these things of beauty.
Photos of Exhibit
Hello, Gorgeous! Fashion, Beauty, and the Jewish-American Ideal is made possible with generous support from:
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Exhibition Endowment
The Rothschild Family Endowment for Exhibits
The Hoffberger Family Exhibit Endowment
The Following Individuals have provided materials specifically for this exhibition:
Dr. Adam L. Basner
Simone and Robert Ellin
The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc.
Gloria Pachino Greenspun
Hairs to You Wig Salon
Jerilyn Okin
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
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