City Views, Country Dreams

Good morning from New York on yet another rainy day.

It's a perfect time to put together this post filled with photographs of the fabulous Manus x Machina exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I was glad that the museum was allowing us to take photographs.  I just set my camera on non-flash automatic and took a chance on what I might be able to capture.

This is a long post, and I am going to number the pictures in case you all might have comments or questions about particular views.

 1

The above photograph shows the setting of the dramatic Chanel wedding dress that appeared on the preview invitation.  Rather eye catching, wouldn't you say?

2

The exhibit showed both contemporary fashion and garments dating from the early 20th century.  Some were made by hand, some involved lots of technology in the creation of the materials and construction techniques.  

The above clothes are from the design team Proenza Schouler.  A couple of years ago, I helped select an outfit for the mother of one of the designers to wear to the PS runway show.  It was from a very different design team and amused me.

3

Because of the crowd, the dim lighting and the placement of the identifying labels, it was not always easy for me to know the source of the clothes.  I expect to revisit the exhibit several times, and would be happy to do some research if any of you are curious about a specific picture.

4

What a frothy pink souffle enhanced the pink dress pictured above!

5

This dress with the embroidery and spangly green daisies is a Marc Jacobs design.

6

I took several pictures of this cloak to show the hand work involved in making all those little circles.  I have made these myself; they are called Suffolk puffs.

7

Here's a close up.  I would have loved to see the inside, too.

8

More flowers, with a train.  This was a wedding dress.

9

Now this golden carapace is called the Floating Dress.  One enters it via a back door, and steps on to a wheeled platform.  Movement is made possible by remote control.  There are several little videos displaying floating, dressing and undressing.

10

I wish that I could have gotten closer to this duo to give a better idea of the workmanship.

11

This enticing modern black outfit can be folded into...

12

this!

13

Here's another contemporary confection.  It's much easier to see the details on the lighter colored garments.

14

Many Japanese designers are represented in the exhibit.

15

I do wonder if anyone actually wore the above two designs.  They are very high concept!

16

Some of the celebrities who attended the gala party celebration on the eve of the exhibition's opening wore dresses that seemed to take inspiration from the above dress.

17

There is a display of a selection of beautiful Fortuny pleated silk dresses.  This one has straps made from Venetian glass beads.

18

Issey Miyake handles pleats in a different way.

19

The above garment at rest.

20

Here's another example of pleats extended, 

21

and half-way to a flat pack.

22

Each of the above garments featured cloth mimicking a paper pattern  Very clever and subtle.

23

All of the draping in the above outfit was held together with hand stitching, indicating a meeting of old and new techniques.

24

Here is another approach to draping.  Two views of the same dress.

25

Another example.

26

This dress might be hiding a very simple silhouette underneath the decorations.

27

As does this dress.

28

I took two pictures of this dress so that you all would be able to see the embellishments more clearly.

29

I am trying to imagine the hours spent on these flowers.

30

I think that the translucent materials in the above design might also have interior design potential.

31

Now, this antique Irish dress was crocheted from very fine cotton yarn.

32

Just think about it!

33

I think the label said it was a wedding gown.

34

Perhaps this orangy-red dress would be perfect for Valentine's Day?

35

The leather cut work on the above lapels was done by hand.  Yes.  Nowadays lasers can handle this demand, but it still requires much skill.

36

More details.  I cannot remember is the display created the stand-away over skirt to emphasize the design or whether the silhouette was the designer's intention.

37

More precision cutting.  I wonder about its fragility!

38

This last photograph from the exhibit of the intricate black garment does not indicate the beauty of the design.  I urge any of you all who will be in New York this spring and summer to come and see it for yourselves.

39

 After leaving the exhibit and walking towards the cloakroom where I had checked my umbrella, I passed through the Greek and Roman galleries and saw some impressive carving that might still be inspiring fashion designers today.

40

It's been a pleasure to give you all a bit of a taste of Manue x Machina.  I found the show quite thought provoking and entertaining at the same time.

Thank you all for your visits and comments.  I very much enjoy sharing my city views with you.