“The Costume Institute’s spring 2023 exhibition will examine the work of Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019). Focusing on the designer’s stylistic vocabulary as expressed in aesthetic themes that appear time and again in his fashions from the 1950s to his final collection in 2019, the show will spotlight the German-born designer’s unique working methodology. ”
Every spring I make my way over to The Met to see the new fashion exhibit and it’s a tradition that I hope I never stop. It’s a very love/hate experience, which is what makes it so fun for me. They can be beautifully whimsical or absolute train wrecks. So let us begin…
Okay, so THIS is a wonderful way of displaying a clothing exhibit (above). Black dresses should be again white backgrounds and vice versa. It’s also at eye level, with just enough distance away so that you can see the intricate details. How is this not standard procedure for showing pieces at this point?
I don’t love the two-floor showing of these ones (above) but at least they’re lighted properly. It would’ve been nice to see them up close, but maybe I’m just too picky when it comes to Met curation decisions. Although if I’m going to see a designer exhibit, it isn’t insane of me to want to actually see the vintage, designer pieces. But I digress.
Fendi, Autumn/Winter 1971-1972
Early 70s Fendi mink fur? SIGN ME UP. Not only do I love old pieces, I absolutely love vintage fur when it’s maintained so well. It’s legit history you’re looking at, incredibly beautiful history. The cut of this cape is breathtaking.
Fendi, Autumn/Winter 2016-2017
At first glance, I hated this but when I read that it was a cape (why was it not shown with its opening?) I’m way more onboard. Capes need to come back. Especially ones that make you look like you’re some sort of chic fairy godmother.
Chloe, Autumn/Winter 1983-1984
An 80s Chloe dress? Perfection. I would have loved to see the front of it, but that wasn’t in the cards. It should be law that all dresses have fun back details.
Chanel, Autumn/Winter 1986-1987
I really didn’t love this clearly-Lagerfeld 80s dress mainly because I don’t love his signature style at all. It’s edgy but without any substance.
Chanel, Spring/Summer 1997
The detailing of this Chanel dress is gorgeous (especially the neck and the wrist area), it’s so fun but, like, a structured kind of fun. It does seem like a nightmare to wear, but so lovely to look at. (And I just realized that they also showed it at their 2016 exhibit!)
Chanel, Spring/Summer 1997
If it’s got tulle, mesh, feathers or any kind of netting - I’m 99% gonna be into it. Absolutely love this dress. And it’s hard to tell in a still photograph but it shimmers ever so slightly in the light.
Chanel, Autumn/Winter 2002-2003
THE BEADING, MY GOD. This dress screams patience and elegance at once and I’m enthralled with it.
Chanel, Autumn/Winter 2017-2018
As much as I love the feathers, my favourite part about this piece is the shape. I’ve never seen a dress that achieved this type of shape before, which is wild to realize and beautiful to witness.
Overall, a small portion of the collection was fun but there were too many modern pieces (from the 2000s) and the majority of them were too high up to even see. And I think I love an exhibit that covers more than one designer and instead focuses on a theme rather than a person. But if you like to just peruse designer items from the past, definitely make your way to The Met before it closes on July 16th.
IMPORTANT TIP: Before you enter the exhibition, you must join the virtual exhibition queue via QR code once you’re inside the museum (there’s a QR code sign beside the main entrance ticket line). No advance or timed tickets required and access is first come, first served.
The exhibit runs until July 16th, 2023.
Past fashion exhibits I’ve seen at The Met:
2018’s Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination (not a full post, but a brief summary)
2021’s In America (Part One): A Lexicon of Fashion (as well as the updated Part One that a few months later)
