The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco house one of the most notable collections of 20th- and 21st-century women's costumes in the United States. This collection includes exceptional gifts of high fashion and haute couture from philanthropic women in the Bay Area. "Fashioning San Francisco," the inaugural exhibition in over 35 years to showcase the richness of the costume collection, will delve into the ways in which women's fashions have shaped and been shaped by the city of San Francisco.

San Franciscans have a rich history of early adoption of experimental dress, actively supporting and donning garments designed by those with a penchant for the avant-garde. A section of the exhibition will highlight Japanese designers such as Rei Kawakubo, Issey Miyake, Junya Watanabe, and Yohji Yamamoto, showcasing how these avant-garde creatives redefined conventional fashion in the 20th and 21st centuries. "Fashioning San Francisco" will also delve into the contributions of Western designers who drew inspiration from the aesthetics of Asian, African, and other international cultures, addressing the contemporary discourse on cultural appropriation.

In paying tribute to San Francisco, "Fashioning San Francisco" will celebrate the women civic leaders, business owners, and public influencers of the Bay Area. The exhibition will spotlight their "power suits," symbolic of their instrumental role in shaping and constructing the city. Reflecting the distinct climate, terrain, and diverse aesthetics of San Francisco, these suits portray the city as a dynamic and empowering environment for confident women.