Fashion is a subjective thing. Some people follow it no matter what is creates, some people neither care about nor believe in it, also, there are the ones who tame and adapt it to their personalities. However, it does not really matter in which category each of us fall, fashion is already considered to be a significant form of art. Like Blair Waldorf once said: “Fashion is the most powerful art there is. It is movement, design and architecture all in one. It shows the world who we are and who we’d like to be.” It might seem like a bit of a statement, but it has its proof. Yes, the numerous museums around the world are the ones to confirm the power of fashion. Today we have 5 museums which must be visited at least once in a lifetime.
1. The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York
Started in 1937 as the Museum of Costume Art it then grew rapidly and in 9 years became a part of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts. Today the department collection is remarkable, it consists of more than 80,000 costumes and accessories. The concept of the institute is very interesting, as it does not have a permanent installation anymore (there was a gallery in the past though), so visitors are forced to plan their visits. Indeed, the special exhibitions organized by the department attract thousands to the largest art museum in the USA. There is no surprise that they present the famous exhibitions, such as The World of Balenciaga (1973), The Glory of Russian Costume (1976) and Hollywood Design (1974) laid a sound base for costume exhibitions in general, Diana Vreeland who created them gathered masses to the Big Apple and they never left.
Photo: metmuseum.org
2. The Fashion and Textile Museum in London
Founded in 2003 by a British designer Zandra Rhodes the Fashion and Textile Museum is a place to find everything you heard or read about fashion. It is located in a converted warehouse, which makes its contemporary clothing, jewelry and fabrics pop even more. From Christian Dior to iconic Vivienne Westwood, from shows such as POP! Culture and Fashion 1955-1976 (2012) to Little Black Dress (2008), the museum certainly contains something for everyone. However, visitors must pay attention to the on-going program of temporary displays, because like modern world, they are constantly being changed.
Photo: accessibleguide.co.uk
3. The Musée Galliera in Paris
It would not be right for a fashion lover to go to Paris and not visit The Musée Galliera. It was founded in 19th century, but nowadays contains pieces from French fashion design and costumes from 18th century to the present day. This is a place which consists of unique, iconic and classic exhibits. Historical fashion icons such as Marie-Antoinette and Empress Josephine have their places here, also, Audrey Hepburn and her iconic clothing from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. About 70,000 of museum’s items include pieces created by famous designers such as Pierre Balmain, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior. What is more, the museum offers to see not only clothing, but also, accessories, undergarments, graphic arts and photography. The Musée Galliera has to be an ultimate stop along with the ones near Eiffel Tower and Louvre.
Photo: latriennale.org
4. The Kyoto Costume Institute in Japan
Containing 11,000 clothing items and 13,000 fashion-related documents, the museums is eager to examine Western fashion trends in order to have an insight to what extent fashion shapes the world. Always involved with research Yoshikata Tsukamoto (President of the Kyoto Costume Institute) says that clothing symbolizes the state of humankind at a particular juncture in time, thereby also throwing light on our own existence. This innovative and contemporary place keeps its exhibitions at a high level of interest all the time, so we just need that spare plane ticket straight to Japan.
Photo: kci.or.jp
5. The Balenciaga Museum in Getaria, Spain
Founded in Cristobal’s hometown in 2011 the museum gathered over 150,000 visitors over two years. It holds over 1,200 unique pieces created by Balenciaga, part of them gifted from the close friends and clients such as heirs of Grace Kelly and Queen Fabiola of Belgium. All these designer’s creations enables visitors to see a delicate view of his successful career, however, it is just a little sneak peak, because as Rodarte designer Laura Mulleavy said about his influence: “You can’t even measure it.” Nevertheless, Balenciaga was an inspiration to many other designers, so this museum instantly becomes worth a visit for fashion lovers, inspiration seekers and us.
