CITYist

If you want to learn more about fashion but aren’t willing to shell out the cash for a styling certificate, why not take advantage of FIT’s free fashion culture lectures? This summer, you can check out the FIT exhibit Eco Fashion: Going Green with a free talk and tour that takes you through the environmentally friendly styling of designers like Stella McCartney and Martin Margiela. Space is limited; email museuminfo@fitnyc.edu to reserve your spot and learn a bit about fashion’s 250 year-relationship with the environment (read on for more info). Everyone knows style is all about cultural and historical references—so a little knowledge goes a long way.

If you haven’t seen MoMA’s snapshot of the career of French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson (and what a long career it was—starting in the 1930s and continuing nearly to his death in 2004), we suggest you make your way there sometime before it closes on June 28th. From humorous anachronism (a modern car in 1950s Russia alongside a scene straight from the 19th century) to heartbreaking strife (Chinese desperately attempting to exchange their money before it loses all its value) and sigh-worthy portraits (Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Jeanne Lanvin), the exhibit encompasses the massive social changes and moments of small beauty Cartier-Bresson was so very, very good at capturing. The history will astound you, the beauty will overcome you and Cartier-Bresson’s talent will leave you haunted.