Fashion and the Museum

I've been to numerous fashion-dedicated exhibitions in San Francisco and New York museums and have wavered in my opinions on the place for fashion in museums. This article from February's ARTnews really sheds some light into the ever mingling world of fashion and museum exhibitions. Although this article looks long, it is thorough and includes the gamut of museums from large New York institutions to smaller university museums' fashion exhibitions. 


A number of fashion and museum authorities are quoted and overall give the opinion of being pro-fashion for exhibitions in museums. However, the article does bring up the underlying and always present rule that not-for-profit institutions can not take monetary support or sponsorship from designers for these blockbuster exhibitions, as that would turn the show into an advertising campaign for the designer. This topic is addressed by Dan Monroe, President of the Association of Art Museum Directors, in a clear cut manner, that museums can not and must not teeter that line and loose control of the exhibition at their institution to the design house. 


I do think it is a wonderful treat for viewers to see these beautiful, haute couture pieces in a way that they can be appreciated for their beauty and craftsmanship. Most people will ever wear or see an exquisitely embroidered 1940's bolero by Balenciaga or view Yves St. Laurent's cocktail dress Tribute to Piet Mondrian, without viewing them in a museum setting. When done correctly, a museum can also provide a history lesson to viewers through the clothes, as designers take influences from the environment and culture that surrounds them. 


Please take the time to read this article and develop your own opinion on his matter as I know we will be seeing more and more fashion exhibitions in museums worldwide.