All of Everything: Todd Oldham Fashion

"A joyous exhibition…Just about every piece in the show contains a stunning detail, surprise, or secret told…They are as astonishing today as they were on the runway."—Wall Street Journal on All of Everything

Immerse yourself in the brilliant imagination, irreverent wit, and meticulous craft of an American fashion icon. Featuring more than 70 ensembles, All of Everything explores Todd Oldham’s exuberantly styled, extravagantly embellished fashions from the 1990s. The first major museum retrospective of his work, this exhibition makes its only Midwest stop at the Wex.

In a single decade—from 1989 to 1999—Oldham blazed through the New York fashion world, reshaping the runway landscape with opulent garments inspired by everything from Persian carpets to thrift-store finds. This celebration of using "everything" is central to his aesthetic. Taking an audacious turn away from the minimalist tendencies of 1990s fashion, Oldham delighted in incorporating vibrant shades, dense patterns, and a near-promiscuous range of materials in his garments, giving them a sculptural quality and visual heft. His choice of runway talent was also forward-thinking: Oldham was among the first to work with African American models Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell as well as rising stars Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, and Christy Turlington.

Surrounded by installations of his ensembles, displays of custom accessories, and hours of runway footage, you’ll be dazzled by sequins and Swarovski crystals, fine hand embroidery and a dress made of pipe cleaners, and a recent, one-of-a-kind gown made in collaboration with students from the Rhode Island School of Design. Oldham himself designed the exhibition and wrote labels for each ensemble, providing firsthand insight into his creations, which as RISD curator Kate Irvin observes, "resonate with thought, feeling, and a profound commitment to fully exploring potential and possibilities."

All of Everything: Todd Oldham Fashion was originally organized by and exhibited at the RISD Museum in Providence, Rhode Island, with support from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, along with the generous partnership of the Rhode Island School of Design, its Board of Trustees, and Museum Governors. Additional support was provided by The Coby Foundation, Carol Nulman, and American Modern Books.

Support for the Wexner Center's presentation is provided by Portfolio Creative and Judi and Jim Stillwell.