Calling all art fanatics and fashion lovers! 2019 is going to be a great year because some of the most famous fashion exhibitions will be showcased throughout the U.S. and abroad. These will be fun exhibits to see over the summer whether you’re staying in the NYC area or if you plan to travel abroad. While I have previously spoken about how Christian Dior’s “Designer of Dreams” is a must-see exhibit opening in London, there are several other famous exhibits that I’d like to share. From “Notes of Fashion” opening on one of the industry’s most important events: The Met Gala in May, to Azzedine Alaïa’s late designs in Paris, these are some of the top exhibits to visit in 2019.
Notes on Fashion: the MET
The MET gala, where celebrities dress in couture and walk the red carpet to the opening of the MET museum’s latest fashion exhibit is taking place next month. With this being one of fashion’s biggest events (Besides the CFDA Awards) the theme of the exhibit is “Camp.” The exhibition will include womenswear and menswear from designers like Sarah Burton, Virgil Abloh, Thom Browne, and Karl Lagerfeld. Additionally, there will be paintings and sculptures on display dating from the 17th Century and onwards. I’m fascinated by the theme of this exhibit because there will be designs from a diverse range of designers throughout. The exhibit will be available from May 9 through Sep. 8
Thierry Mugler: Couturissime
If you haven’t heard who Thierry Mugler is, you may recognize a vintage design that Kim Kardashian was just spotted wearing. From Mugler’s SS98 collection, Kim wore a sexy black cutout gown with a high slit to Hollywood’s Fifth Annual Beauty Awards. Mugler is a renowned French designer known for his extravagant designs worn by A list celebrities. Showcasing in Montreal, Thierry Mugler’s “Couturissime” has recently opened. The exhibit will present 140 designs dating from 1973-2001, some of which are being presented for the first time. Additionally, multiple sketches and over 100 photographs from renowned photographers will be showcased. This is a fantastic exhibition to visit if you will be in Montreal this summer. The exhibit is available to see from now until Sept. 8.
Exhibitionism: 50 Year Anniversary at FIT
New York City’s renowned fashion school, The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), is celebrating 50 years of producing exhibitions this year. FIT’s museum has gained worldwide popularity over the years since opening in 1971. For their 50th anniversary, the school will be holding a unique exhibition — think structured corsets, voluminous gowns and vivid capes. FIT plans to bring back over 30 past exhibitions for this presentation including Fashion & Surrealism and The Corset. More than 80 designs will be used from the museum’s permanent holdings. This is a fabulous exhibit to visit as the NYC weather warms up. The exhibit is open for viewing until April 20.
Adrian and Alaïa: The Art of Tailoring
Azzedine Alaïa, one of fashion’s most influential late couture designers, will be presenting an exhibition in Paris this year. By creating collections at his own pace instead of following fashion’s seasonal collections, he’s well-known globally. Additionally, Alaïa had a tremendous influence on Naomi Campbell since she was a teenager. He created the supermodel that she is today. The exhibition “Adrian and Alaïa: The Art of Tailoring” will highlight both Azzedine Alaïa and Gilbert Adrian, who the late designer admired. You can expect to see tailored suits that show a similarity between the way Adrian and Alaïa tailor and their choice of fabrics. If you plan to visit Paris this summer, this is an exhibit only a fashion lover can dream about. The exhibition will be open from now until June 23.
Overall, this is going to be an exciting fun-filled year to cherish the exquisite designs that some of fashion’s most influential icons have created. Over the last year, I’ve noticed that fashion exhibitions have continuously been growing in popularity. They have been on the rise so much, that Christian Dior’s “Designer of Dreams” has just extended their showcasing by 7 weeks (ending on Sept. 1 now). I hope this rise in popularity continues because I find fashion exhibitions to be fun and educational to visit.