In 1973, the fashion world changed forever at the “Battle of Versailles” Fashion Show, where the established luxury of French couture met the disruptive energy of American sportswear. As a fundraiser for the restoration of the Palace of Versailles, five American designers (Bill Blass, Anne Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Halston, and Steven Burrows) faced off against five French designers (Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan (Christian Dior), Emanuel Ungaro, and Hubert de Givenchy).
This past semester at Johnson County Community College (JCCC), students in the History of Fashion studied this event in their course, and as part of their end-of-semester project, staged their own Battle of Versailles at JCCC.
The assignment
One History of Fashion course section focused on American fashion and the other focused on French fashion—both taught by JCCC Professor Britt Benjamin. Students were challenged to research and create on-campus display cases showcasing 20th -century designers from each country.
The assignment was for the students to act as museum curators and create an educational exhibition about fashion history to engage the campus community. They were divided into small groups, and each created one look for the Team USA or Team France display windows.
The displays featured eight different mannequins and looks. Students selected garments from the JCCC Historical Fashion Collection, which has over 2,200 apparel pieces and textiles dating back to the 1850s. Students were graded on how well their ensembles reflected “the spirit” of the Battle of Versailles; the French representing craftsmanship and luxury, and the Americans modernity and movement.
In addition to choosing the clothing pieces on display, each student team was also tasked with creating educational content to accompany their look. They researched the designer, their style/silhouettes, how they were influenced by historical events of their time, and how they changed the rules of fashion. Each mannequin is accompanied by a small plaque with a description by each student team.
During one of their final class periods of Spring 2026, the students created the window installations. Each window has a QR code that passersby can scan and then vote on their favorite display. The voting period is still open, and the winner will be announced later this summer.
JCCC in Paris
Students from the Spring 2026 Fashion History class went on a trip to Paris at the end of May 2026, co-led by JCCC Fashion faculty Audrey Michaelis and Britt Benjamin. During their trip, students and their professors toured the Palace of Versailles, Le Bon Marché (the world’s oldest department store), and a special exhibition highlighting the work of Azzedine Alaïa and Christian Dior. These JCCC students were able to experience and see firsthand the places and designs they studied throughout the semester.
“The entire city of Paris became the students’ fashion history textbook,” said Britt Benjamin, JCCC Professor of Fashion. “Whether they’re curating a display on campus or exploring abroad, these types of learning experiences engage students beyond the classroom and deepen their knowledge in ways that stay with them long after the course ends.”
By combining hands-on projects with immersive, real-world exploration, JCCC empowers students to develop a deeper understanding of their field and prepares them for academic and professional success. Learn more about JCCC’s global engagement experiences at jccc.edu/studyaway. Learn more about the Fashion Merchandising and Design program at JCCC at jccc.edu/fashion.
