15 Fashion Exhibits You Can't Miss in 2020
2020 is almost here, and so are some excellent fashion exhibits we’re very excited about. From the history of the kimono to the use of lace in modern high fashion, we took a look at some upcoming and already running international expositions we just can’t wait to visit.
1. Silver Screen to Mainstream: American Fashion in the 1930s and ’40s
Lovers of 1930’s and 1940’s fashion are in for a treat. The Chicago History Museum put together a collection of 30 garments by designers like Chanel, Valentina and Howard Greer. The exhibit tracks the influence of Hollywood’s most glamourous on more ‘regular’ Americans during The Great Depression, WOII and the start of the Cold War.
Info:
- Until January 21, 2020
- Chicago History Museum (Chicago)
- Official site
2. Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
More than 60 years after her death, Mexican painter Frida Kahlo remains an inspiration. Not just because of her remarkable art and talent, but also for unapologetically being herself.
The de Young Museum not only collected photographs, paintings and drawings of the artist, but also pieces of her wardrobe, personalised bracelets and prosthetics. All these are lent from Kahlo’s childhood home La Casa Azul, now functioning as the Frida Kahlo Museum.
With these items, the museum examines how Kahlo expressed her identity through her way of dressing and accessorising. It further takes a closer look at how disability, gender, politics and ethnicity affected her modes of creativity.
Info:
- March 21 – July 26, 2020
- de Young Museum (San Francisco)
- Official site
3. In Pursuit of Fashion: The Sandy Schreier Collection
The Met’s 2019 fall exhibition is definitely worth a visit. Or two. ‘In Pursuit of Fashion’ features up to 165 gifts from the collection of fashion historian Sandy Schreier, the biggest private collector of couture in the world. The exhibit puts high fashion clothing, womenswear, accessories and fashion illustrations from the entire 20th century on display.
Info:
- November 27, 2019 – May 17, 2020
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
- Official site
4. About Time: Fashion and Duration
In 2020 the Met celebrates its 150th birthday. So yeah, the next Met Gala will be a BIG one. Like, even bigger than other years. Last November the theme was announced, ‘About Time: Fashion and Duration’. It follows the title and topic of the 2020 spring exhibition of the Costume Institute. The exhibit will showcase 150 years of fashion history, presented along a ‘disruptive’ timeline.
Inspiration for the exhibition came from the 1992 film ‘Orlando’, starring Tilda Swinton, and based on the book by Virginia Woolf. Orlando is the non-gender conforming protagonist of the story, who also lives for several centuries. They witness history, lives in the present, and stands symbol for the future. There’s no real beginning or ending, only one big middle of time.
In the same way, ‘About Time’ treats fashion as the eternal present, with no start or finish. It focuses on its fast and ever changing rhythm. Woolf herself serves as ‘ghost narrator’ of the exhibit.
Info:
- May 7 – September 7, 2020
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
- Official site
5. Power Mode: The Force of Fashion
How we dress ourselves is a (possible) way to express power towards others. But, what is power? When do we feel powerful? When do we have power over our environment? What makes a piece of clothing powerful? Difficult questions to answer.
The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (MFIT) describes power as “political position and economic status, but also military strength, sexual authority, rebellion, and protest.” Their exhibition ‘Power Mode’ takes a look at clothing from the 1700s to the present day. The garments are divided in 5 categories: military, suits, status, rebellion and sex. The MFIT investigates how fashion plays a role in the power dynamics of different centuries and changing societies.
Info:
- December 10, 2019 – May 9, 2020
- The Museum at FIT (New York)
- Official site
6. Ballerina: Fashion’s Modern Muse
For two months only, the MFIT presents a large exposition on the influence of classical ballet and ballerinas on modern high fashion.
Although ballet originates from 15th century Italy, we had to wait until the Interbellum before it took a high position in Western culture. From there, the dance style influenced our creative arts, not in the least fashion. At the same time, the elegant and beautiful ballerinas started to inspire many designers. ‘Ballerina’ reflects this phenomenon, illustrated by costumes and clothing from mainly the 1930s to 1980s.
Info:
- February 11 – April 18, 2020
- The Museum at FIT (New York)
- Official site
7. Ravishing: The Rose in Fashion
Another wonderful exhibition at the MFIT is ‘Ravishing’. This time, the museum examines the role of roses in fashion. We can trace the flower back to about 3 million years ago. In that time it travelled around the world and was an inspiration for artists of all kinds, including numerous designers.
‘Ravishing’ takes a look at the use and significance of roses in fashion from about the 1750s up to today. More than 75 objects are on display to guide us through the importance of the beautiful flower in our appearance and how that came to be.
Info:
- September 2020 – January 2021
- The Museum at FIT (New York)
- Official site
8. Suzie Zuzek for Lilly Pulitzer: The Prints that Made the Fashion Brand
From the ’60s until the ’80s, textile designer Suzie Zuzek made over 1,500 drawings for Key West Hand Print Fabrics in Florida. These designs were used as prints by the ‘Queen of Prep’ Lilly Pulitzer, meaning that Zuzek made a huge contribution to the iconic brand.
This exhibition in the Smithsonian Design Museum shows you 35 design drawings by Zuzek, next to finished textiles and garments.
Info:
- May 15 – December 7, 2020
- Smithsonian Design Museum (New York)
- Official site
9. Mary Quant
Mary Quant is, of course, the Mother of Miniskirts. Apart from that, she also launched hot pants, flamboyant tights, and lively makeup. Quant created a new take on femininity and was one of the first to start mass production. Shortly said: she was an allround fashion pioneer. It’s safe to say Miss Quant put her stamp on the ’60s. She is still a synonym for vibrant and energetic fashion.
The V&A collected more than 400 garments, accessories and cosmetics, including pieces of the revolutionary designer’s own archive. Combined with that, we get a look at archive footage and photographs.
Info:
- Until February 16, 2020
- Victoria & Albert Museum (London)
- Official site
10. Tim Walker: Wonderful Things
This exhibit zooms in on the surrealist work of Vogue photographer Tim Walker. We get an exclusive look on how he brings his extraordinary pictures into existence. The V&A follows his creative process with photos, films, sets, behind the scenes-material and installations.
Specially for the exposition, Walker made 10 unique new series of photographs inspired by the V&A’s collection. Most certainly worth a visit!
Info:
- Until March 8, 2020
- Victoria & Albert Museum (London)
- Official site
11. Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk
In a coming exhibition, the V&A gives us a deeper insight in the history of the kimono. Originating in 1660’s Japan, the garment spread all over the world and became subject to the ever changing fashions.
‘Kimono’ follows the clothing item from its birth until the modern day, regarding it as an item of social and aesthetic significance and – of course – haute couture.
Info:
- Opening February 29, 2020
- Victoria & Albert Museum (London)
- Official site
12. Cecil Beaton’s Bright Young Things
Fans of the bold and glamourous stars of the ’20s and ’30s, unite! For three months only you can visit the large ‘Bright Young Things’ – exhibition. The National Portrait Gallery looks into the eccentric world of the British avant-garde: the extravagant artists, socialites, actresses, writers and partygoers.
All that through the eyes of a man who was in the epicenter of all those bright shining celebrities, famed Vogue photographer Cecil Beaton. Apart from Beaton’s work, there are also paintings on display by artists like Augustus John and Rex Whistler.
Info:
- March 12 – June 7, 2020
- National Portrait Gallery (London)
- Official site
13. Marche et Démarche, une Histoire de la Chaussure
On to Paris, where the Musée des Arts Décoratifs presents an exhibition on the form of the shoe. It takes a closer look into the cultural significance of such a daily yet fashionable object.
Through about 500 shoes, paintings, photographs, footage and advertisements we follow the shoe. We see its different styles and takes from the middle ages to the modern day. Both European and non-European cultures are represented.
Info:
- November 7, 2019 – February 23, 2020
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Paris)
- Official site
14. The Art of Lace: Haute Couture from Chanel to Iris Van Herpen
The TextielMuseum put up a collection that gives you an exclusive look behind the scenes of high fashion. On display are more than 40 designs by Schiaparelli, Balenciaga, Dior, Chanel, Gaultier and so on. To achieve many of their most beautiful haute couture creations, they worked closely together with talented lacemakers. This exhibition zooms in on their dialogue and coworking.
Info:
- November 16, 2019 – May 10, 2020
- TextielMuseum (Tilburg)
- Official site
15. My 1950s – Women. Fashion. Everyday life.
Our last must-visit exhibition has actually been running since November 2017, but 2020 is the last year you can visit it. Take that chance, we say! Certainly if you’re into 1950’s fashion. ‘My 1950s’ not only gives you a look into the haute couture of back in the day, it also puts everyday wear on display.
The Nordiska museet goes further than just showing pretty dresses and long pearl necklaces. It digs deeper into the question how the social ideals, the lifestyle and the many changes that were characteristic for the middle of last century influenced womens fashion.
Info:
- Until December 31, 2020
- Nordiska museet (Stockholm)
- Official site
