Inside the Buzzy, Nostalgia-Filled '90s Fashion Exhibit that Just Opened in Los Angeles

Thanks to the new limited series “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,” there’s been some renewed chatter about the late fashion icon and ’90s-era Calvin Klein exec’s highly influential personal style, which exemplified the decade’s brief-yet-impactful minimalism trend. Coincidentally, its release on Hulu dovetails with a relevant new exhibition opening Friday at the ASU FIDM Museum in Downtown Los Angeles.
Photo: Michel Arnaud/Courtesy of ASU FIDM Museum
“Obsessed: Fashion and Nostalgia in the ’90s” happens to feature four Calvin Klein looks from that era alongside dozens of other designer pieces — most from the fashion school’s own extensive archives, others borrowed from brands and collectors. The work of Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Anna Sui, Franco Moschino and Gianni Versace also features heavily in the exhibition, which is designed to bring visitors back to a pre-internet fashion landscape and examine the industry’s current obsession with nostalgia.”In times of great change, people are more interested in nostalgia and this collective nostalgia and this bigger understanding of a time that… isn’t necessarily factual,” posits Christina Frank, the exhibition’s curator. “But it’s showing this shift in culture — hopefully, eventually to something better.”In addition to apparel, there are countless print editorials, ad campaigns, candid backstage film shots and supermodel portraits to pore over analog-style. And beyond minimalism, the exhibition covers grunge, streetwear, celebrity style (from a suit owned by the late Princess Diana, to the Todd Oldham look Olivia Rodrigo wore in 2023) and even certain designers’ reputations for cultural appropriation.
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Frank took us on an exclusive tour of the exhibition right before it opened, sharing insights and fascinating stories behind the historic pieces on view. Watch it above and visit “‘Obsessed: Fashion and Nostalgia in the ’90s” from Feb. 20 to June 27, 2026, Wednesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 919 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90015.Fashionista is the leading online destination for current and aspiring fashion and beauty industry professionals. Reach businesses, students and consumers alike with our range of digital offerings.
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