American car culture has long been associated with a specific type of masculinity – loud, flashy, and often insecure. However, the exhibition “Roaring: Art, Fashion, and the Automobile in France, 1918–1939” challenges this stereotype by exploring the intersection of fine art, fashion, and automotive design during the early 20th century. This unique exhibition showcases how these seemingly disparate realms were intricately interconnected to define the modern era.
The exhibition opens with a stunning 1928 wooden Citroën coupe hand-painted by artist Sonia Delaunay, setting the stage for a journey through five galleries that highlight the relationship between fashion, cars, and the “New Woman” of the time. With 11 vintage vehicles on display, including four French-designed Bugattis, the exhibition caters to both car enthusiasts and those with a more general interest in art and design.
One of the most intriguing sections of the exhibition is “Women at the Wheel,” which celebrates female car racers like Hellé Nice and entertainer Josephine Baker. These women defied traditional gender roles and embraced the freedom and independence that came with driving fast cars. The exhibition also features fashion designs by trailblazing women like Elsa Schiaparelli and Jenny Sacerdote, whose innovative creations reflected the era’s focus on speed and movement.
As visitors move through the exhibition, they are treated to a visual feast of Art Deco-inspired patterns, fluid silhouettes, and aerodynamic lines that symbolize the era’s embrace of modernity and change. The final room, “Bodies Transformed,” showcases Lanvin gowns alongside sleek automobiles, emphasizing the transformative power of fashion and design.
“Roaring: Art, Fashion, and the Automobile in France, 1918–1939” is a testament to the enduring influence of the early 20th century on contemporary art and design. By showcasing the symbiotic relationship between art, fashion, and automotive design, the exhibition invites visitors to reconsider the role of the automobile as a symbol of agency and independence.
The exhibition is currently on display at the Saint Louis Art Museum and will run through July 27. Curated by Genevieve Cortinovis, Sarah Berg, and Ken Gross, “Roaring” offers a unique perspective on a pivotal period in history when art, fashion, and technology converged to shape the modern world.
