The Met’s Costume Institute Exhibit

We here at MWS are full of anticipation! After all, the fall exhibition for The Met’s Costume Institute is opening this Friday (11/18). Titled “Masterworks: Unpacking Fashion,” the show will highlight 60 pieces ranging from the early 18th century to the present.

The list of designers whose iconic work will be represented includes John Galliano, Coco Chanel, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Jean Paul Gaultier, Yohji Yamamoto, Sarah Burton (Alexander McQueen) and Vivienne Westwood. Additionally, there will be a tribute to Harold Koda, who is retiring as Curator-in-Charge.

The exhibit runs through February 5th.

Masterworks – The Met Costume Institute Exhibition: Fashion as Art

With over 1,000 pieces from which to choose, the curatorial team certainly faced a daunting task. Fortunately, the works that were ultimately selected truly reflect the social and cultural climates of their respective times. And, of course, they help highlight how the notion of beauty has evolved over the years.

Moreover, each garment is replete with an in-depth explanation of its significance within/to fashion history. The exhibition also smartly pairs pieces from varying eras. These items tend to share some similarities, be it in their silhouettes or specific motifs.  This serves to demonstrate how fashion strives to maintain a through line from past to present.

Importantly, the works are displayed in packing crates and on palettes, as if they had just arrived at the museum. This allows visitors to get a close look while guaranteeing the art remains protected.

Expectations for the upcoming exhibit are high, especially given the rousing success of “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” last spring. Indeed, “Manus x Machina” went on to become The Met’s seventh most visited show of all time. And it certainly sparked a desire for future fashion exhibitions.

We’ll see you at the Met!

Click here the exhibition’s official website.

Here are a few of our favorite wardrobe fixes!