In the spring of 2001, French-born designer Catherine Malandrino debuted an American flag-printed silk dress, as a manifestation of her personal patriotism. She said, "America was a symbol of freedom and big open space. ... I wanted the dress to speak about America the way I saw it in my dreams."

Half a year later, 9/11 happened. Her dress, which once had significant personal meaning, evolved and became a reflection of patriotism on a national scale. In the name of unity, people and celebrities all across the country wore the flag dress in support of America, and it quickly became an icon.

Seven years later, in the fall of 2008, Obama was running for president. Change was taking place, and the flag dress was reissued in America. It was widely received, and after Obama was elected, celebrities from Meryl Streep to Heidi Klum were seen wearing the dress.

The Malandrino flag dress carries a history with it, and represents a key intersection between fashion and politics.

Fashion & Politics, incidentally, is also the name of the exhibit currently on at the FIT Museum, where the flag dress is being shown (pictured right) among many other items of such historical value. It opened on July 7th, and will be on until November 7th, 2009.

If you live in the city and haven't yet seen it, hurry over and see some priceless pieces of American history.

--Venus