Simple

Exhibition at the Musée Mode & Dentelle, Brussels, 12 June 2026 – 10 January 2027

Towards the end of the 18th century, Enlightenment philosophy, medical discourse and hygienist thinking called for a profound reform of the ways in which people presented themselves. This ‘return to nature’ manifested itself not only in a rejection of corrective artifices, but also in the adoption of new cuts, breathable fabrics and an aesthetic vocabulary inspired by antiquity. The sartorial ideal came to reflect a new way of life, centred on comfort, physical freedom and a closeness to nature.

This exhibition catalogue invites readers to explore the simplicity of clothing, a theme that has received little attention until now. Spanning more than two centuries of history, it examines the moments when clothing has tended towards simplicity, functionality and naturalness. Often associated with luxury, opulence and novelty, fashion is revealed here as a mirror of cultural and social developments.

The book is structured around six chapters exploring the various aspects of this simplicity. Drawn from throughout history, the pieces on display highlight the continuity, resurgence and paradoxes of this aesthetic.