Fashion is not only about the newest thing: although it is inevitably projected to the future, it uses its own past to constantly rewrite its history. The exhibition shows garments from the past alongside outfits and items by contemporary designers. The contemporary designs can be considered modern re-interpretation of historical clothes, and their similarities assert the role of historical references in shaping the contemporary face of fashion.

Archival material is redeemed through the minds and hands of contemporary designers, who tend to incorporate historical research within their own creative process. The exhibition aims to illustrate how a common and shared heritage can inform the practice of design, allowing the creation of new styles that have their roots in our history. It implies a shift in perspectives to discover new ways to look at history, and more generally at museums and cultural institutions.