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LIZ HEATHER

May 27, 2025

The Met's 2024 Costume Exhibit - Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion

by Liz Heather in Best of NYC


YES, this exhibit review post is a year late. Sometimes time moves too quickly, I don’t make the rules. (I did see this year’s exhibit the other day, so you can expect that post a lot sooner (haha, am I lying? Nobody knows).) Thoughts below!

The 2024 Costume Exhibit at The Met, NYC

Absolutely loved the 2024 exhibit. The items were lit very well against a white background (why would they ever deviate from this idea?) and the entire exhibit made great use of the space. It’s true that I don’t (and never will) like when they display things too high up (see above photo), but since there were so many pieces to display I suppose I’ll allow it this one time.

Alexander McQueen, spring/summer 2001

Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton, spring/summer 2011

I’ll never forget the Alexander McQueen exhibit from 2011 (Savage Beauty). I wish I had this site back then so I could have documented how gorgeous and well done it all was. (This oyster dress is burned in my memory forever.)

Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton, autumn/winter 2018-2019

There was a “smell experience” also within the exhibit that was a good idea in theory but didn’t really land in execution. But that didn’t bother me (surprisingly?) because I respect effort.

Oldest line in the book

Love this idea

Bea Szenfeld, spring/summer 2014

Callot Soeurs, wedding ensemble, 1930

I’m patiently waiting for the day that The Met decides to do a wedding costume exhibit. Can. you. imagine. the. decadence. You’d need a whole wing of the museum to do it properly, too. None of this up-high nonsense. I want to see TRAINS. Can someone please put me in charge of something.

Charles James, "Tulip" evening dress, 1949

Charles James, "Butterfly" ball gown, 1955

I didn’t realize cocktail aprons were ever a thing and now I need one (below).

Attributed to Mainbocher, cocktail apron, 1943

Collina Strada, Hillary Taymour, "Meadowsweet" dress, spring/summer 2023

Reminded me of how much I loved that Collina Strada bodysuit from the 2022 exhibit.

Conner Ives, "Couture Girl" dress, autumn/winter 2021-2022

I don’t know if that’s supposed to be hilarious (above) but it is and I love it.

Dauphinette, Olivia Cheng, autumn/winter 2022-2023

Bug dress!

Dolce & Gabbana, 2024 Alta Moda

Okay, I love this rose dress. I mean, I kinda already designed it but as a headpiece.

French ball gown, 1957

Why aren’t we all wearing more capes?

Gucci, Alessandro Michele, cape, autumn/winter 2017-2018

It’s wild that an H&M dress (below) is in this exhibit but I do love that it’s recycled from shoreline plastic waste. Considering how much harm this company has already done to the planet, this seems… dense.

H&M, "Serpentine" dress, spring/summer 2017

House of Dior, “New Junon" evening dress, spring/summer 2017 haute couture

There’s something so timeless about a Dior gown. Just the definitely of elegance, I love them so much.

House of Dior, Yves Saint Lauren, "Rose Rouge" evening dress, spring/summer 1958

Christian Dior, "Venus" ball gown, autumn/winter 1949-1950 haute couture

Christian Dior, May ball gown, spring/summer 1953

I recognize these two Dior dresses (above and below) from the 2016 Manus X Machina exhibit.

House of Dior, "Vilmorin" ensemble, spring/summer 1952

Christian Dior, "Junon" ball gown, autumn/winter 1949-1950 haute couture

House of Schiaparelli, Daniel Roseberry, spring/summer 2024

A man whispered, “I’ll have the branzino” to his wife while looking at this dress (above) and I’ll be honest, I really laughed. So dumb. People do take this stuff so seriously sometimes, so it’s nice to hear people’s out-loud thoughts.

House of Worth, Charles Frederick Worth, "Tulipes Hollandaises" evening cloak, 1889

BRING BACK THE CLOAK.

Iris van Herpen, "Nautiloid" dress, spring/summer 2020 haute couture

I really love how much fun the Iris van Herpen pieces are. I remember seeing her work for the first time in the 2020 About Time exhibit (online, since it was 2020). I mean, look at how whimsical this one is.

Iris van Herpen, "Physalia" dress, spring/summer 2020 haute couture

Iris van Herpen, autumn/winter 2011-2012 haute couture

There was an entire room devoted to poppies, which I didn’t love. I mean I get it, poppies are associated with remembrance and eternal sleep so it does fit the theme - but I wasn’t in love with the pieces used.

Isaac Mizrahi, "Exploded Poppy" dress, spring/summer 1992

Jasper Conran, Philip Treacy, hat, 1992

Will forever adore any sort of draping.

Attributed to Liberty & Co., 1880s

Marni, Francesco Risso, spring/summer 2024

Marni, Francesco Risso, spring/summer 2024

Mason Martin Margiela, autumn/winter 2014-2015

Sidenote: I loooove this wig coat with my whole heart.

Olivier Theyskens, autumn/winter 2000-2001

Nothing better than a big bouncy dress and I love Oliver Theyskens. Look at this other breathtaking gown he made.

Phillip Lim, Charlotte McCurdy, "Algae Sequin" dress, 2021

Richard Malone, autumn/winter 2020-2021 & Richard Malone, spring/summer 2020

Rodarte, Kate Mulleavy, Laura Mulleavy, spring/summer 2012

Would die for a Rodarte gown. I still have dreams about the one I saw from the In America: A Lexicon of Fashion exhibit from 2022 (seen here). Oh! And can’t forget this gorgeous dress from the Women Dressing Women exhibit in 2024.

Properly lit and positioned garments make me swoon, I’m sorry

Ryunosuke Okazaki, spring/summer 2024

Thom Browne, spring/summer 2019

Viktor & Rolf, Viktor Horsting, Rolf Snoeren, spring/summer 2015 haute couture

Okay, look at how much fun this gown is.

Undercover, Jun Takahashi, spring/summer 2024

Note: this exhibit was on view at The Met from May 10 – September 2, 2024.

And since you’re here, I’ll show you what the rooftop exhibit was at The Met for 2024 as well:

Petrit Halilaj, Abetare, The Met Rooftop, 2024

Petrit Halilaj, Abetare, The Met Rooftop, 2024

Petrit Halilaj, Abetare, The Met Rooftop, 2024

Past fashion exhibits I’ve seen at The Met:

2023 - Women Dressing Women

2023 - Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty

2022 - In America (Part Two): An Anthology of Fashion

2021 - In America (Part One): A Lexicon of Fashion (as well as the updated Part One that a few months later)

2019 - Camp: Notes on Fashion

2018 - Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination (not a full post, but a brief summary)

2016 - Manus x Machine: Fashion in an Age of Technology

I’ve also written about the Thierry Muglar exhibit as well as the Christian Dior one (both at the Brooklyn Museum).

TAGS: The Met, The Met Roof Exhibit, The Met rooftop, The Met new exhibit, The Met fashion, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Met Roof Garden 2024, The Met Costume Institute, The Met fashion exhibit, The Met fashion exhibit 2024, Liz Heather, Liz Heather The Met fashion exhibit, Sleeping Beauties, Reawakening Fashion, clothing exhibit NYC, ball gowns, Alexander McQueen, razor clamshells dress, Sarah Burton, oyster dress Alexander McQueen, smell experience The Met, Bea Szenfeld, Callot Soeurs, wedding ensemble 1930, Charles James tulip evening dress, Charles James butterfly ball gown, cocktail apron, Mainbocher cocktail apron, fashion, Collina Strada, Hillary Taymour, meadowsweet dress, Connor Ives couture girl dress, Dauphinette, Olivia Cheng, red rose dress, Dolce and Gabbana, French ball gown, Gucci cape, Alessandro Michele, H&M, serpentine dress, House of Dior, New Junon evening dress, Dior gown, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Rose Rouge evening dress, Venus ball gown, May ball gown, Vilmorin ensemble, Junon ball gown, haute couture, House of Schiaparelli, Daniel Roseberry, House of Worth, Charles Frederick Worth, Tulipes Hollandaises evening cloak, Iris van Herpen, Nautiloid dress, evening wear, Physalia dress, poppy room The Met, Isaac Mizrahi, exploded poppy dress, Jasper Conran, Philip Treacy, Liberty & Co, Liberty and Co, Marni, Francesco Risso, Mason Martin Margiela, wig coat, Oliver Theyskens, Phillip Lim, Charlotte McCurdy, Algae Sequin dress, Richard Malone, Rodarte, Kate Mulleavy, Laura Mulleavy, Ryunosuke Okazaki, Thom Browne, Viktor & Rolf, Viktor Horsting, Rolf Snoeren, Undercover, Jun Takahashi, The Met fashion pieces


January 5, 2022

December Dalliances 2021

by Liz Heather in Best of NYC, Food, Links, Personal, Products, Recipes, Reviews, Television


December was a complete whirlwind but when is it not? I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! Other than getting my booster (!), here’s what else went down last month.

  • You can find my favourite tweets of the month over here and here.

  • I recapped how my autumn list went.

  • I made a list of things I’d like to do this winter.

  • I compiled my very favourites from the year.

  • My favourite photos from 2021.

  • Here are two great things to do when a new year has begun.

  • I wrote about the Christian Dior exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum (which closes in February).

  • Did you know that Costco has candles? There’s a four candle box for $20 and they’re only two-wick each, but extremely good quality.

  • I don’t think I’ve ever had pecan pie before in my life (I don’t even know why, I think I thought it might be too nutty?) but I tried a slice at JG Melon and whoa. Who the hell knew?

  • I attempted to read Charles Grodin’s memoir and I just… I couldn’t. I don’t mean to show any disrespect, but what a bore. Some people shouldn’t write books, I simply had to softly put it down on Nathan’s desk and walk away.

  • Incase you need to know the Bob’s Burgers Christmas episodes in one handy chart.

  • I am obsessed with the snow drop scent from Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day. I’ve got the all purpose cleaner as well as the dish detergent and I’m so angry I didn’t buy any more to use throughout the year because it’s currently sold out everywhere. And look, the pine one is very good too, but the snow drop one just takes your breath away. Oh god… is this my life now… excitement over cleaning supplies scents?? End me.

  • Speaking of things that bum me out, I also tried the basil scented Method dish soap and Nathan and I both agree: not for us. The bottle shape is weird and the smell of basil to clean your dishes is confusing.

  • The best of the holiday recipes that I made over the Christmas break: Mushroom & Leek Bread Pudding, Upstate-Style Roast Beef Sandwiches, Southern Baked Macaroni & Cheese, and Chocolate Pumpkin Pie (I didn’t do the marshmallow part, I went with whipped cream instead although a rum whipped cream would have worked well, too).

  • The dill pickle chicken nuggets at Burger King in Canada? Shock of all shocks: not good.

  • But the tim biebs at Tim Hortons? Pretty good!

  • Food lesson I learned: gruyere does not taste good as a shredded cheese on top of garlic bread, it must be mixed into some sort of mixture to taste good since it’s way too overpowering on its own.

  • Tried the chicken sandwich at Jollibee and honestly? It’s a definite contender for the Popeye’s one. Really great.

  • New nails alert!

Nails For You in Square One, Mississauga, Ontario

  • I finally made Alison Roman’s Salted Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies and they are fantastic. I had no idea how much I love demerara sugar, it’s that beautiful crunchy sugar that you can find atop the classiest of muffins and it’s too too good.

  • They have the dairy-free Boursin at Trader Joe’s! And it tastes exactly like the dairy version! Why does this excite me!

  • My niece Layla introduced me to the brand Native and I’m loving their holiday scented body washes (Sugar Cookie & Candy Cane).

  • I finally ate at Carbone with my dear friend Paul and it was good! Was it as special as the world seems to think it is? Of course not, but that reality is okay, too. The service was great, the place is beautifully decorated for the holidays and the food was very much adequate. The cons of the place are mainly due to its inaccessibility and food quality for its price. And maybe we should've gotten more meat entrees instead of only sticking with their pastas but I mean... it's an Italian restaurant... shouldn't all of their pastas wow you with a reputation like theirs? The best things we ate were the tortellini al ragu ($34) and the garlic bread (free). Both truly great. The spicy rigatoni vodka ($32) is their most celebrated pasta and honestly it was good but not at all worth the hype. The fettuccini con funghi ($32) was disappointing mainly because of the inclusion of bell peppers... why put bell peppers in such a dish? Such a gross flavour with the creaminess of a soft fettuccine. I really did want to love this place, but there are far superior Italian places in this city (L'Artusi, Lilia, Portale). Take your money elsewhere.

Tortellini al ragu ($34) at Carbone, NYC

Garlic bread (free) at Carbone, NYC

Carbone, NYC

  • I’ve never even heard of shapable soap, but I bought a can from Bath & Body Works (it’s on sale for $5 right now) and it’s so fun to use. Kids especially seem to love it. Apparently they only have them around the holidays but there are four scents to choose from.

  • I bought this faux leather vest from Zara that I love and have absolutely no idea how to style.

  • I won a lottery ticket to see Girl From The North Country and it was really good, I sat in the second row from the front and I might be ruined forever because seeing a play that close was unreal and so cool. Also, seeing the Belasco Theatre was a dream. Also, Austin Scott can GET IT.

Inside The Belasco Theatre, NYC

Outside The Belasco Theatre, NYC

  • Had a drink at the Ophelia Lounge and the view is wonderful, but the drinks and food aren’t terribly special.

  • The candy cane green tea at Trader Joe’s? Award-winning.

  • Finally ate at Via Carota with Irene on her birthday and it was really good. All the pastas were wonderful, skip the rice balls.

Beautiful Irene on her birthday at Via Carota, NYC

  • I made my way to Via Porta (the smaller, casual outpost of the L’Artusi crew) to get some of their jarred sauces and I was a little disappointed unfortunately. It just didn’t taste the same as in the restaurant. I only tried the bolognese one, so maybe the mushroom ragu will be better? I’ll definitely give it one more try, especially since they’re supposed to start selling their fresh pasta in the coming weeks. (Also, the baked goods they’re selling are extremely good.)

  • My friend Casey kindly invited me to the dress rehearsal of Dear Evan Hansen and I’m so happy to have seen it! But good lord, never again. The music is mostly wonderful and the actors were great, but every other aspect of the production? Yikes. Forever love seeing something on Broadway, though.

  • My And Just Like That… thoughts (spoilers ahead):

    • God, where do I begin…

    • In a time when death, sickness and darkness literally surrounds our every waking moment, why in the world would a team of writers want to start out a “beloved” series with the death of a major character? I mean… read the room??? Why start an entirely new season with grief? On what planet does this make sense? Especially when you have these characters living in this post pandemic existence that still isn’t a reality here and now? It’s nonsense.

    • Also the cringey nature of every single podcast scene? I have to almost ignore these parts entirely because of how bad they are. It’s as though someone wrote this script and then a team of woke writers came in to make it fit into today’s culture but completely missed the mark and just ended up making this vomit-inducing trash. It’s all just so embarrassing to watch.

    • I know this has been said to death, but them even doing this series without Samantha was the wrong decision. The balance is completely off, I don’t care about the new characters, none of this should ever have been made.

  • We bought this new pineapple print for the living room and I can’t wait until it’s hung up.

  • I tried the eggplant parm at Cutlets and it was pretty good but nothing to write home about.

  • In love with the new feathered evening coat I got for Christmas.

  • I tried the KFC potato chips from Walkers (brought over from the UK) and they were delicious.

Walkers KFC potato chips

  • I’m sure you saw my new hair, but incase you’re living under a rock. (Note: this is the first time in 36 years I’ve dyed my hair. Why did I want to do it? Mainly because I wanted to stop being afraid of doing it.)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Liz Heather (@lizheather)

Some things that I’m looking forward to this month: seeing The Phantom of the Opera with Nathan (his first time!), I’m excited about the return of Restaurant Week, the Bath & Body Works semi-annual sale has already started incase you like cheap candles (the hot buttered rum one is NUTS), I’m excited about making new resolutions for the year because I’m clinically insane, and I might make the trek to Governor’s Island now that it’s opened for the winter.

If you have any interest in other monthly roundups of 2021, they can be found here: November 2021, October 2021, September 2021, August 2021, July 2021, June 2021, May 2021, April 2021, March 2021, February 2021 & January 2021.

God, this city is so pretty during the holidays

TAGS: December, December Dalliances 2021, Liz Heather, monthly post, monthly roundup, Baby Dog Macintosh, Baby Dog, best tweets, new year, Christian Dior, The Brooklyn Museum, Costco candles, JG Melon, pecan pie, Charles Grodin, memoir, Bob's Burgers Christmas episodes, Mrs. Meyers Clean Day, snowdrop scent, snow drop scent, all purpose cleaner holidays, basil Method dish soap, Mushroom and Leek Bread Pudding recipe, best recipes, upstate-style roast beef sandwiches, southern baked macaroni and cheese, chocolate pumpkin pie, dill pickle chicken nuggets Burger King, Tim Hortons, Canada, gruyere cheese, Jollibee chicken sandwich, new nails, Nails For You Mississauga, Alison Roman, salted chocolate chunk shortbread cookies, demerara sugar, dairy free Boursin, Trader Joe's, Native, Native body wash seasonal, Paul Fishman, Carbone, Carbone NYC, Carbone garlic bread, Carbone pasta NYC, shapable soap, Bath and Body Works, candles, candle sale, soap sale, Zara, Broadway ticket lottery, Girl From The North Country, Bob Dylan play, Belasco Theatre NYC, Broadway NYC, Ophelia Lounge, candy cane green tea, Via Carota NYC, Irene Morales, Via Porta NYC, Dear Evan Hansen, And Just Like That, And Just Like That..., COVID, pineapple art, Cutlets NYC, feather evening coat emerald, best of Etsy, KFC potato chips, KFC potato crisps, new blonde hair, blonde hair, Radio City Music Hall NYC, Christmas NYC, things to do Christmas NYC


December 8, 2021

Christian Dior Exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum

by Liz Heather in Best of NYC, Events


You know how I feel about going into Brooklyn (no one should ever need to go to Brooklyn), but this exhibit makes it fully worth the trek. The Dior exhibit is on until February 2022 and if you’ve ever enjoyed the fashion exhibits put on at The Met, then you’ll absolutely love this collection.

“With objects drawn primarily from the Dior archives, the exhibition includes a vast array of over two hundred haute couture garments as well as photographs, archival videos, sketches, vintage perfume elements, accessories, and works from the Museum’s collection.”

Here were my very favourites pieces in the collection (included in the captions are the places I would wear them to).

Perfect dress for hiding the most obscene lingerie you’ve ever seen, the ideal ensemble for an illicit affair that exclusively happens in hotel rooms

Obviously what I’d wear for the baptism of my godchild

What I’d wear to my daughter’s debutante ball

To the funeral of my third husband, the one I truly loved

An elegant home brunch at Elton John’s house

Returning wedding gifts somewhere in Europe

Searching for seashells with my toes on a beach in the Amalfi Coast

Accepting my humanitarian of the year award, no bra.

To a PTA meeting in 1959 while the other mothers gossip about how I probably can’t cook

Obviously a New Years Eve party, this is just common sense

Can you see why I love going to these exhibits? How can you not imagine where you’d wear each beautiful piece you see? In any case, you really should go. Tickets available over here.

TAGS: Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams, Brooklyn Museum, Dior exhibit NYC, Dior exhibit Brooklyn Museum, Liz Heather, things to do NY, things to do NYC Christmas, best of NYC