Colorwear

A chromatic celebration of fabulous fashion.

Colorwear immerses you in the power of color in fashion – as storytelling, mood, and creative expression – all drawn from the extraordinary fashion collection of Phoenix Art Museum.

Organized into 13 color-themed chapters, this vibrant book examines how designers across eras and cultures transform fashion into wearable art. Drawing from the renowned Phoenix Art Museum collection, fashion curator Helen Jean contextualizes iconic garments within broader historical and cultural narratives. Fashion historians April Calahan and Cassidy Zachary, hosts of the podcast Dressed: The History of Fashion, contribute additional insights into standout pieces. From couture to ready-to-wear, shoes to accessories, Colorwear highlights the role of color as a powerful tool for storytelling, mood, and creative expression.

Iconic garments, including Fortuny’s Delphos gown and Warhol’s ‘Souper’ Dress, mingle with other sartorial gems created by Chanel, Gaultier, Lagerfeld, Louboutin and Schiaparelli, among others.