Designers present their creations on the runway. They become elevated to star status when a single piece is worn by a high profile socialite or celebrity. Have you ever wanted to learn more about your favorite designers or get a chance to see those runway designs for yourself? For the past several years, fashion designers are having their designs showcased not just on the runway, but also in museums all over the world.
How can I see the haute couture clothing of some of my favorite designers?
I recently read an article on WWD (Source:May 26, 2011) that stated fashion designer exhibitions are popping up all over the place. Is this considered to be a trend that will go away in a few years? I do not think so. Trends are not long lasting and the fashion designer exhibitions tell their stories and get the long time fans entrenched in being up close to the unique creations.
In 2005, the Costume Institute displayed the Chanel Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. That was more than five years ago. It is very evident that these exhibitions are not trends. Chanel is a true icon to say the least and to see an exhibition that would tell the story of such a force in fashion in no way could be a trend. And earlier this year, “Culture Chanel” was featured at the Modern Museum of Art in Shanghai (source: WWD, October 26, 2010). It appears that there is a constant interest in these type of museum exhibition.
WWD stated in its article that the Costume Institute’s “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” exhibition has been a great success (source:WWD May 27, 2011). I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art website and the videos and pictures of the Alexander McQueen exhibit are breath taking. Jill of Everything Just So says the exhibit has been extended and she gives some good advice for getting the full exhibit experience.
Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty Exhibition http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/ensemble-widows-of-culloden/
In a recent video interview on NYTimes Style, Andrew Bolton, curator of the McQueen exhibition says that the visitor will be able to appreciate the “craftsmanship” and exquisite detail of the garments.
Some of us may not be able to wear the haute couture pieces right now; but we sure can get pretty close to the see the intricacies of the garment.
The Dior Inspiration exhibition is currently on display in Moscow, Russia. The exhibition is magnificent and jaw dropping. It makes me want to drop everything and catch a flight to Moscow just to see the exhibition. I am an avid admirer of Christian Dior — the clothes and the fragrances. The video below is from the Grand Opening of the Dior Inspiration. Check out www.inspirationdior.com to get more up and close information about this awesome exhibit.
I do not see a trend here. I see a wave of fashion designer exhibitions that not only show us beautiful designs; but educating us on the hard work it took to design, cut, mold fabric and create lines for the runway.
The Fashion World of Jean-Paul Gaultier, From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk is showing at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art right now. If you are in the Montreal area; go see it because who knows, it may give you inspiration.
Learning more about designers through exhibitions is not a trend because we are educating ourselves to become more knowledgable. If we happen to own one of those creations it makes the piece much more memorable because there is a story behind it.
Do you consider fashion designer exhibitions a current trend?
Let me know what you think.
LOVE the Alexander McQueen dress. It’s simply stunning. I’ve heard of a few designer exhibitions lately, but I’m not sure if its a trend just yet…
Hi Kristin Marie,
I thought the Alexander McQueen dress looked beautiful too. I guess everyone has their opinion. I definitely don’t think that designer exhibits are a trend.
I love that designer exhibitions are becoming more popular (although i agree that the word trend may not be appropriate), it gives more people access to this art form that historically has only been available only to the few.
So true, having venues to see different designer exhibitions and her their stories brings it all home. I know that I learn so much. When I saw the First Ladies exhibit it was so neat to see one of Jacqueline Kennedy’s dresses up close.
I saw the McQueen exhibit, and it was absolutely gorgeous – but so crowded full of people! I agree, I wouldn’t call it a trend either since there were designer exhibits in the past.
Having more people attend exhibits will entice more museums to bring exhibits of this venue to their areas. Numbers mean a lot.
I don`t think it`s a new trend, fashion just finally gets the artistic recognition that it deserves.
Best, Jenny
http://www.dresscodehighfashion.com/
I hope and think they will continue, but I don’t really consider the exhibitions ‘trends.’ Thanks for posting about JPG exhibit – I live in Toronto & would love to visit Montreal & see it!!!
Corinne xo
You are welcome and if you see the exhibit please do a blog post about it.
Congratulations on your selection to the IFB Links a la Mode list this week, and thanks for the mention! I read a fascinating article in the NY Times in April about how museums around the world realize they are making money on fashion exhibitions and curators are realizing that some of the best designers (like McQueen) are artists who work in fabric, but even mediocre designers will draw museum-goers in a way that an artist’s name they don’t recognize and whose work they don’t care about won’t. I think we can all look forward to more exhibitions, not less, in the future. I’ve been astounded to find out how many there are in the world at any given time. I think the response to the McQueen exhibit has been even bigger than the Met expected and I believe a lot of that is because it is a startling show. These clothes truly are works of art and they’ve been exhibited in a haunting, gorgeous way.
Hi Jill,
It was my pleasure to mention you and thank you so much. I so agree with you, fashion designer exhibitions are not a one day wonder and the Alexander McQueen exhibit proves that.
Great post! I would so love to see the McQueen exhibition – hoping they will bring it to London. Congrats on LALM – well deserved!