Tuesday, the Museum at FIT opens “Exposed: A History of Lingerie,” an exhibition exploring skivvies from the corseted 18th century to now. With some 70 delicate pieces pulled from the museum’s permanent collection, the show traces developments in ideology, silhouette and technological advancement to tell the story of unmentionables. The exhibit, which runs through Nov. 15, is sure to be a hit. (Museum at FIT, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, visit fitnyc.edu for more info.)
To celebrate, we traced the cinematic experiences that helped shape the way we view lingerie. Because we doubt Mrs. Robinson would have won Ben over in a caftan, and no one would know about “Swordfish” if not for Halle Berry’s lace-covered assets.
From black-and-white sirens to modern-day starlets, here are the silver screen’s top lingerie moments.
Jean Harlow in “Dinner at Eight” (1933)
The look lived another day in the pre-meltdown Britney Spears video for “Lucky.”
Elizabeth Taylor in “Butterfield 8” (1960)
Taylor’s turn as fashion model Gloria Wandrous won the then-28-year-old actress her first Academy Award, and basically set the standard for knee-length teddies and sexily sipping cocktails after one-night stands.
Sophia Loren in “Marriage Italian Style” (1964)
As Filomena, a Neapolitan prostitute, Loren oozed Italian glamour and won the see-through fabric game 50 years before Rihanna did. Bam.
Anne Bancroft in “The Graduate” (1967)
Who knew hosiery could be such a successful plot device? Bancroft’s Mrs. Robinson seduced us all with those signature semi-sheer stockings. The original cougar also had a hunger for animal prints, black lace and the bleeding hearts of men.
Catherine Deneuve “Belle de Jour” (1968)
Iconic prostitute No. 2: Deneuve sizzled as Séverine Serizy in high-waisted panties and garters, generously supplied by her friend Yves Saint Laurent.
Tim Curry in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975)
If anyone could give the ladies on this list a run for their money, it’s Curry’s cross-dressing madcap scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter, who loved his corsets, fishnets and fingerless glittery gloves.
Jamie Lee Curtis in “True Lies” (1994)
Would you perform a striptease to save your child from terrorists?? If you have any doubts, behold the spoils of parental sacrifice and the black lace lingerie that floored us all.
Elizabeth Berkley in “Showgirls” (1995)
Warning: Graphic content
Though some of us never saw Elizabeth Berkley’s performance as anything short of tour-de-force, it took some time for the critically panned film to garner its cult following. When it comes to skimpy undies, the offerings are virtually endless. What’s your fave? Ours is the black silk Kyle MacLachlan lap dance negligee. It doesn’t stay on for long.
Nicole Kidman in “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999)
You may or may not have an idea about the plot, but know this: Kidman took a slinky ivory tank and panty set bordering on basic underwear and elevated it to minimal ’90s brilliance.
Halle Berry in “Swordfish” (2001)
Full disclosure: We never saw this movie. But we can tell you it was the lacy lingerie (and topless scene corollary) that put Halle Berry at the nippy-top of the A-list.
Kirsten Dunst in “Marie Antoinette” (2006)
Sofia Coppola’s film was full of Rococo corsetry, yet the best moment comes when Dunst entices Axel von Fersen (Jamie Dornan) with just a smirk, a fan and thigh-high stockings. Skip to 1:49 and see what we mean.
Marine Vacth in “Young & Beautiful” (2013)
Iconic prostitute No. 3! In François Ozon’s “Jeune & Jolie,” Vacth plays 17-year-old Isabelle, whose lurid story of sexual discovery is peppered occasionally with the sweetest, prettiest lingerie you ever did see.