May 28, 2024

The Met Roof Garden Exhibit 2024

“Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj (born 1986, Kostërc, former Yugoslavia) has been commissioned to create a site-specific installation for the Museum’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden. For the artist’s first major project in the United States, Halilaj has transformed The Met Roof with a sprawling sculptural installation. ”

— The Met

The new rooftop exhibit at The Met has arrived and I keep going back and forth on whether I love it. I’m a big fan of how much space it takes up (why bother doing an outdoor, sculpture exhibit if it isn’t overbearing in some way?), but I just wish there were more pieces. It’s definitely better than some of the past rooftop commissions (ahem, I’m looking at you, 2013 exhibit), so if you find yourself at The Met then definitely stop by and see for yourself.

The exhibit runs at The Met Fifth Avenue until October 27th, 2024.

January 18, 2024

Women Dressing Women Costume Exhibit at The Met

by Liz Heather in Best of NYC

“The Costume Institute’s fall 2023 exhibition will explore the creativity and artistic legacy of women fashion designers from The Met’s permanent collection, tracing a lineage of makers from the turn of the twentieth century to the present day by highlighting celebrated designers, new voices, and forgotten histories alike.

Women Dressing Women will feature the work of over seventy womenswear designers, spanning ca. 1910 to today, including French haute couture from houses such as Jeanne Lanvin, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Madeleine Vionnet, to American makers like Ann Lowe, Claire McCardell, and Isabel Toledo, along with contemporary designs by Iris van Herpen, Rei Kawakubo, Anifa Mvuemba, and Simone Rocha.”

— The Met

I love that The Met is doing two different costume exhibits a year now. This one only runs for three months, so obviously I had to go this week. Highlights below!

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Grace Wales Bonner at House of Dior, 2020, edition 2022

Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, spring/summer 2012

I remember when they last showed this McQueen piece in 2016 (at the Manus x Machina exhibit) and they’re finally highlighting the back of it, which I love.

Rei Kawakubo at Comme des Garçons, spring/summer 1997

So in love with the story behind this design (above).

Melitta Baumeister, autumn/winter 2021-2022

At first glance, I really hated this one (above) and then after a few minutes it really grew on me, especially considering the fact that it’s a product of its time period.

Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy at Rodarte, autumn/winter 2006-2007

My favourite piece of the whole collection, by far.

Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy at Rodarte, autumn/winter 2006-2007 (the back of the dress)

And I love that someone had the good sense to put a mirror behind this one so we could see the all of the details.

The exhibit runs now until March 3rd.

January 9, 2023

The Museum of Broadway in NYC

by Liz Heather in Best of NYC

museum of broadway casey balsham Liz Heather best of NYC new york city

The Museum of Broadway finally opened, so my friend Casey and I went to take a look. And full disclosure, it’s absolutely perfect. Some highlights below!

art advocacy museum of broadway Liz Heather — Located in the gift shop, such a great idea

The whole museum follows a specific pathway to follow and see everything on numerous floors. There are countless photo opportunities and texturally beautiful backgrounds.

museum of broadway new york city Liz Heather — The Ziegfeld Follies room

There are themed rooms based on the musical/play they’re representing, which is such a genius way to show these gorgeous pieces of Broadway history.

museum of broadway oklahoma room Liz Heather New York City musicals plays — The Oklahoma room

Anyone who knows anything about me can understand why I spent most of my time in the Phantom of the Opera wing.

Seeing The Lion King pieces up close really made me remember how stunning it was to see for the first time all those years ago, when no production had ever done what they accomplished.

And once you’re finished see all of the floors dedicated to the individual shows, the final rooms all showcase the backstage magic and what goes on behind the scenes.

The whole museum is done so thoughtfully and it’s completely worth the price of admission (TIP: on the first Tuesday of each month, it’s only $25 per person). If you’re ever cared about Broadway history & memorabilia, you have to go immediately.