(Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen. “Chinese Garden” Headdress, Cork. Spring/Summer 2005. Displayed at the exhibition blog.mode: addressing fashion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Wandering through the expansive halls of the MET last Sunday, I came across the Costume Institute’s blog.mode: addressing fashion installation. Viewers can see over 40 pieces of dresses, shoes and bags, dating from the 18th century to the present, including designs from Vivienne Westood, Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garcons, Jean Paul Gaultier, and more.
On top of that, the renowned institution has even forayed into one of the guilty pleasures of the 21st century – the Blogosphere. The public is invited to comment on what they see at an exhibit-specific blog, and leave their thoughts on the inspiration and construction of particular looks. Although people can view the collection and post online at http://blog.metmuseum.org/blogmode/, nothing compares to seeing it in person, however, a major component of the exhibit itself are the blog stations positioned in the middle of the gallery.
(Contemplative blogger. Each of these looks below has tons of public commentaries online)
Fashion is a living art form here, and open to multiple interpretations…and bloggers don’t shy away from freedom of expression! One of the most innovative aspects of this exhibit/blog is seeing the general public so contemplative about fashion…it is refreshing in a world where our choices and thoughts are limited to and guided by what we see in stores and magazines.
The blog has been up since Dec 2007 but hurry up, because the exhibition closes on April 13, 2008. Here are just a few of the looks on display:
(1- Alexander McQueen’s “Oyster Dress”, Spring/Summer 2003. Ivory silk chiffon and silk organza. 2- Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci. Evening Dress. Spring/Summer 2007. Steel gray heat-crinkled silk organza embroidered with linear chain stitch in white silk)
(1- John Galliano for Christian Dior Couture “Creation” Ensemble, Fall/Winter 2005–6. Beige silk satin, beige cotton braided laces, blue pieced silk with chenille, hammered silver metal, bead embroidery, white leather, silver metal and pearl hardware. 2- Karl Lagerfeld French, born Germany, 1938, for Chanel. Boots, Fall/Winter 1993–94)
(1- Yves Saint Laurent Coat, Fall/Winter 1983–84. Yellow silk faille. 2- French Dress, Robe à la Française, ca. 1765. Pale blue silk satin with hammered silver floral brocade and silver bobbin lace trim)
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