The late fashion icon Eunice Johnson gets her due with a 2013 exhibition at Chicago History Museum. Today the museum announced that the exhibit, featuring clothing from the Ebony Fashion Fair show produced by Johnson, will open in March 2013.

I'm pretty excited to see this exhibit realized. Johnson—with her unrelenting devotion to the  modern—had an unparalleled eye for design, color, line and, when it came to fashion, new and exciting silhouettes. The Chicago History Museum show, while not yet fully conceived, plans to feature 60 garments from the Ebony Fashion Fair collection, including "haute couture significant to late 20th century fashion."

The exhibition also delves into the cultural significance of the Ebony Fashion Fair runway show. Produced by Johnson, it was known as the first couture and prêt-à-porter show aimed at African American women. Johnson sourced prominent designers of the time, including Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, Stephen Burrows, Yves Saint Laurent, Patrick Kelly, Christian Lacroix, Valentino Garavani, Roberto Cavalli and Pierre Cardin. Ebony Fashion Fair started in 1958, but, knowing Johnson's eye for design, every piece in the exhibition will look like the next hottest thing. I can already hear the clicking of Louboutin's lining up in the Chicago History Museum's grand entryway.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you know many Loop services and buildings will close during NATO. But I'm a bit surprised at the recent spate of museum closings, which include the Chicago History Museum—located well outside the Loop/McCormick Place NATO epicenter.

For culture lovers and rock-hiders, here's a list of closings, plus what to see (a buncha new shows!) when museums reopen.

Museum Field Museum
Closing on Sunday, May 20 and Monday, May 21
What to see when it reopens The museum's first large-scale art exhibit, "Nature’s Toolbox: Biodiversity Art and Invention," opens May 22. "Extreme Mammals," a traveling American Museum of Natural History New York exhibit that explores out-there animals, opens May 26.

Museum The Art Institute of Chicago
Closing on Saturday, May 19; Sunday, May 20; and Monday, May 21
What to see when it reopens "Roy Lichtenstein: A Retrospective" opens Tuesday, May 22

Museum The Adler Planetarium
Closing on Saturday, May 19; Sunday, May 20; and Monday, May 21
What to see when it reopens "Welcome to the Universe," the newest Grainger Sky Theater show, opens Friday, May 25

Museum Shedd Aquarium
Closing on Saturday, May 19; Sunday, May 20; and Monday, May 21
What to see when it reopens "Jellies" extends its run through 2013

Museum Chicago History Museum
Closing on Sunday, May 20 and Monday May 21
What to see when it reopens "Magic" opens Saturday, June 9

 

In this week's issue, photographer Dawoud Bey tells TOC about two new exhibitions devoted to his work. (The Art Institute of Chicago unveiled "Harlem U.S.A." today. "Picturing People" opens at the Renaissance Society Sun 13.) One of my favorite series by the Chicago artist is "Class Pictures," which presents portraits of teenagers from six high schools across the U.S. alongside the students' autobiographical statements. Bey's explanation of how he created these photographs didn't make it into print, but it's worth reading:

There are more than 130 Art & Design events happening this weekend. Check our listings for details, and read about a few openings and lectures that didn't make it into print after the jump. All are free unless otherwise noted.