One of my biggest pleasures as a fashion reporter is the privilege
of being able to preview the retrospectives of my fashion heroes. In this case, it was the gorgeous exhibit of
Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada.
The Metropolitan Museum show is a celebration of two
powerhouse women. Baz Luhrman and
Catherine Martin (the team behind movies like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,
Moulin Rouge) put together a series of stylish interviews imagining
conversations between the fashion pioneers.
Throughout the exhibit, you can watch the designers discuss their
experiences, their muse and the world around them throughout their career.
Much like the MOMA’s exhibit of Picasso and Matisse a few
years back, the show her presents both designer’s work side by side to show how
similar influences were translated into clothing, or how Schiaparelli might
have influenced Prada.
At the same time, the exhibit also compares how the
different eras influenced the designers differently. For Elsa, her time period was all about
focusing excitement from the waist up.
Her most noteworthy accessories included hats and wigs, elaborate
fur/feather collars, jackets with heavy embellishment on the chest. For Miuccia, she focused from the waist down,
with graphic prints on skirts and amazing footwear.
Elsa Schiaparelli was an artist’s designer. She was known for bringing surrealism into
her work. She was famous for her “shocking
pink”, fanciful circus motifs and trompe l’oeil effects like printed rips. Salvador Dali and Jean Cocteau were an
influence. Cocteau’s lip illustration
became embroidery on a Schiaparelli gown, and a pocket detail on another. The lips motif also inspired Miuccia Prada’s
collection in silk prints.
This is a show not to be missed!
The exhibit will run from May 10, 2012 - August 19th, 2012 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Photos by Mariana Leung
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