2015 brought us the stunning “China Through the Looking Glass” exhibition at the Met in New York and the equally ravishing “Savage Beauty” exhibition of Alexander McQueen’s creations at the V&A in London. 2016 is gearing up to be another richly textured year in fashion exhibitions. Here are some of our top picks opening in the next two months.
Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times Driehaus Museum, Chicago | February 9 – May 8, 2016 .
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Here’s a treat for all of Downton Abbey friends. The exhibition, “Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times,” highlights fashion from one of the most widely watched television dramas in the world. Viewers can follow their favorite characters, both upstairs and down; walk through a costume chronicle of the period in this now traveling exhibition that showcases nearly 40 period costumes and jewelry from the hit series. The exhibition continues to tour the United States, see the schedule here.. . .
Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective
The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco | March 12 – May 30, 2016
Image courtesy of The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
The exhibition is the world premiere retrospective of Oscar de la Renta’s work — the first major survey celebrating the life and career of one of fashion’s most influential designers. The exhibition is organized in close collaboration with the House of Oscar de la Renta and the designer’s family, and is curated by André Leon Talley, former American editor-at-large for Vogue and a lifelong friend of de la Renta.Included are more than 130 ensembles produced over five decades. These garments are organized into several thematic sections: early work; Spanish, Eastern, Russian and garden influences; daywear and evening wear; and ball gowns and red carpet ensembles. The presentation traces the rise of de la Renta’s career in Spain, where he gained his first commissions; his formative years spent in the world’s most iconic fashion houses; and his eventual role as a designer for many of the most influential and celebrated personalities of the 20th and 21st centuries.
. . .Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear
V&A, London | April 16, 2016 – March 12, 2017
This exhibition addresses the practicalities of underwear and its role in the fashionable wardrobe whilst highlighting its sensual, sexual appeal. The exhibition explores dress reformers and designers who argued for the beauty of the natural body, as well as entrepreneurs, inventors and innovators who have played a critical role in the development of increasingly more effective and comfortable underwear.
Isaac Mizrahi: An Unruly History
The Jewish Museum, New York City | March 18 – August 7, 2016
Isaac Mizrahi: An Unruly History is the first museum exhibition to focus on the influential American fashion designer, artist, and entrepreneur. On view from March 18 to August 7, 2016, the exhibition explores Isaac Mizrahi’s unique position at the intersection of high style and popular culture. While best known for his clothing designs, Mizrahi’s creativity has expanded over a nearly three decade career to embrace acting, directing, set and costume design, writing, and cabaret performance. Spanning his first collection in 1987 to the present day, An Unruly History weaves together the many threads of his prolific career, juxtaposing work in fashion, film, television, and the performing arts.
