Fashion in Museum Spaces

http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/fashion-show

I went to this exhibit six years ago now with one of my best friends. It still stands out vividly in my mind. At the time, I thought it was extremely progressive for Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, highly reputed as a beacon of culture and the arts, to feature a fashion exhibit. This exhibit showcased the Paris Collections of 2006.  The Collections were displayed on low platforms - allowing the viewer to get close to the design - almost the same proximity you might have at a typical boutique. They showcased both well-known French designers such as Chanel (under the auspices of Karl Lagerfeld) to the lesser-known Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto. The level of craftsmanship was incredible and the lighting design within the exhibit truly showcased

http://www.petitpalais.paris.fr/en/expositions/yves-saint-laurent



A few years later, in the summer of 2010,  while studying abroad in Paris, I went to the tribute to Yves Saint Laurent at the Petit Palais. Incidentally, I learned that YSL also studied architecture for some time- I believe his the architectural education resonates in his process and forms.  It incredible- the palace had been transformed into rooms upon rooms of YSL's designs through his illustrious career. One point of the exhibit even recreated his office - the exhibit granted an intimate knowledge of the designer- his friends, his hobbies, his habits and of course his aesthetic sensibilities.