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Met Gala Preview

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Events Newsletters

Met Gala Preview

Chanel Couture wedding dress, Autumn 2014
May 2

‘Manus x Machina’ Exhibition Opens

n a time where fashion is still derided as a frivolous interest, where its feminine flighty nature is expressed in the constant turnover of trends in the fashion cycle, and adherence to the fashion cycle is branded as slave to one’s vanity, this kind of exhibition is needed more than ever. By showcasing the laborious processes and the complex tools and the dedicated people behind glittering garments and frothy frocks, it humanizes the clothes, giving the fashion meaning beyond the trends of the day. And that meaning allows clothes to become something worthy of cultural attention, to reach the level of art. To, as Mr. Bolton said, “appreciate the artist behind it and the artistry that goes into it.” This exhibition might even make a viewer gasp in delight, declaring, “Ah, what a glorious exhibition!”
By Michelle Honig
May 4

Met Gala Exhibition Previews This Morning

Guests attending at the Met’s Chinese Galleries and Costume Center this morning found a vibrantly-curated exhibition of more than 140 couture and ready-to-wear pieces, displayed in juxtaposition with significant examples of Chinese art. The galleries are low-lit, each room having a screen displaying images curated or created by Wong Kar Wei. One stunning chamber, showcasing more than half a dozen Dior couture creations, mimics a water-garden with a black tile floor while on the ceiling, a projection of a blood-red moon is animated by water dripping onto its surface and creating ripples.
Designers influenced by Chinese motifs include a who’s-who of the Western canon: Ralph Lauren, Alexander McQueen, Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld and Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy are just some of the names represented in the show.
By Ben Widdicombe

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