The upcoming fashion exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art examines “the dressed body” in art over the centuries.
LOT of thoughts about this thus far...
the (lack of) faces. ?????? rn i just don't get it, but i've already talked to people who viscerally despise it
WHY ARE THEY ALL WHITE IF YOU'RE AIMING FOR DIVERSITY ? pleeeease this is so basic. and i see nary a wrinkle!! where is age in this equation?
fascinating that the CI is pushing boundaries lately that even university museums are ignoring... & honestly, even if they're fumbling, I respect Bolton for it. i mean, i don't respect the lagerfeld retrospective, but between Superfine, Women Dressing Women, Camp...it's a good trend.
"we're gonna reuse the mannequins in future exhibits" ok hmm. some of them, sure. (the sinead burke one is already a reuse from Women Dressing Women.) On the other hand, the white-corset one?? HYPER-specific body shape there. And the larger ones...sure, they're realistic, but the ideal museum mannequin is one that is not only specific to an era's silhouette but also able to be used for multiple garments, styles, etc. These really can't be used for anything but 21st c. stretch clothing. (the bust isn't even uplifted for a bra, for ex.) Very limiting. I don't see these being used for historical dress at all :( (Ideally, they would make mannequins that have thinner bodies & thicker necks, arms, etc. so that you could pad out the torso to exactly what is needed and the external bits would match in thickness!)
i LOVE seeing the chiuri suit on a fat mannequin! solid yay. would love if they have more info about any 1940s uses on larger bodies, since that's the New Look Bar Suit.
Also excited to see michaela stark stuff!
I am really curious what the narrative here is going to be, esp. as there seem to be different sections - "pregnant body," "corpulent body" etc. How is that going to relate to "Costume Art" ?????
Addendum to prev: One big issue I had with Sleeping Beauties was that the main exh theme seemed very disconnected to most of what was actually in the exh. I am...sensing that that might happen again.
What do you mean, most mannequins are a size 2? I know that sizes aren't standardized, but most fashion mannequins are a 24" waist - size 0. The kyoto mannequins are between 20" and 0", depending. (waist cutouts.) What are you talking about, Bolton?? what am i missing? oh, you know what, i bet it's the bust size
i hope they asked emma mcclendon (who has published abt mannequins & diversity and did the 2017-18 body exhibition at MFIT) to consult.
i really, really hope this is inspirational for designers. i am really, really glad to see diverse bodies on display at all. i look forward to experiencing this exhibition.