The kitchen vest was created in 1977 by American artist Joan Steiner. It evokes a 1950s-era American suburban kitchen through objects and fabrics attached to a vest, including velvet, cotton, rayon and satin. While literally placing the wearer in the kitchen, the vest comments on expectations of women's roles during that time period and allows the wearer to take the kitchen with them. The vest represents how women were often confined to domestic duties but aims to empower the wearer to subvert those expectations.