Rudi Gernreich: Fashion will go out of fashion

Published in 2000 by DuMont, this monograph serves as a comprehensive visual and intellectual record of the life and work of Rudi Gernreich, the visionary Austrian-American fashion designer. Gernreich gained international notoriety in the 1960s for his avant-garde approach, famously introducing the monokini and challenging conventional gender norms through his unisex designs. The book explores his philosophy that fashion was a transient social construct that would ultimately become obsolete, prioritizing comfort and function over traditional ornamentation.

The volume features archival photography and design sketches that highlight Gernreich’s collaboration with models like Peggy Moffitt and photographer William Claxton. It documents his transition from a professional dancer to a pioneer of space-age fashion, placing his work within the broader context of mid-century cultural liberation. The design of the book itself echoes the minimalist, clean-lined aesthetic that defined Gernreich’s career, aiming to present his controversial runway pieces as serious contributions to the history of modern design rather than mere passing trends.