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The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York

Fashion, Freedom, and Feminism: The Transcendent Work of Rosa Genoni and Her "Tanagra Dress" Reimagined

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The fashion industry itself is broad in scope and dependent upon numerous sub-industries to produce its garments. It is heavily dependent upon machinery of all kinds, yet unlike many industries today, it is still also largely reliant on manual labor, specifically minority women labor. This dependance upon manual labor correlates with its long history of worker exploitation and sweated labor. The concentration of exploitative labor practices in the fashion industry have made it a focal point in the ongoing struggle between workers and the downward pressure capitalism and industrialization placed on worker compensation, quality of life and job security.</p> <p>This study considers the material culture of dress, not solely as an artifact or theory within fashion, but as an object of craftmanship. Utilizing the recreation of the “Tanagra Dress” originally designed by Rosa Genoni in 1908 and my personal experience of over a decade within the New York Garment industry, I will explore professional divisions and obscurities of an enormous industry that often leaves its explicit process and makers out of the narrative. The project of recreating Rosa Genoni’s “Tanagra Dress” incorporated seamlessly a tangible object, to an obscure process, with a long history that will inspire this body of work.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts
Level thesis:degree_level
Master
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Liberal Studies
Grantor
The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York
Year dc:date.available
2024

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Trupiano, Christina
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Eugenia Paulicelli
Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember
  • David Humphries

Subjects

dc:subject × 11

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/5909
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:academicworks.cuny.edu:gc_etds-6751

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
City University of New York - Graduate Center
Base URL
academicworks.cuny.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Trupiano, Christina. Fashion, Freedom, and Feminism: The Transcendent Work of Rosa Genoni and Her "Tanagra Dress" Reimagined. Master thesis, The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York, 2024. https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/5909