One of the highlights of our recent trip to Paris, apart from a special anniversary celebration, was a visit to the Dries Van Noten retrospective at the musée Les Arts Decoratif. Aside from drinking champagne with Mr That's Not My Age, the first major exhibition of the Belgian designer's archive was top of my to-do list. But this isn't just a retrospective of the 55-year-old designer's work, each glass case tells a story. How inspiration from art, photography and film, as well as the work of other fashion designers, inform Van Noten's creative process . From Balenciaga to Bacon, a large number of exhibits are on loan from other museums and collectors and are shown together with outfits from the DVN collection and a short film of the catwalk show. This is brilliantly curated.
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| Dries Van Noten. Photo: New York Times |
The exhibition covers two floors: the first is mostly monochrome with a sprinkling of the designer's signature colour and texture. It begins in the mid-eighties when Van Noten started out, with a list of his inspirations:
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| Do you think he's a fan of Prince Harry? |
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| Outfits from Balenciaga and Dior. |
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| Dries Van Noten 2009 collection. |
And the menswear collection inspired by King Edward VIII, the work of Cecil Beaton and a crown by top milliner Stephen Jones:
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| Inspirations |
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| Dries Van Noten menswear. |
But the second floor is where the magic happens. Where the exhibition explodes into glorious Technicolour.
Iris Apfel has loaned some of her jewellery:
I can just imagine the Geriatric Starlet stepping out to the supermarket in this embellished coat:
The exhibition is fantastic and inspirational and if you're in Paris this summer, go see it. Then take a stroll along the Tuileries. Number three on my to-do list.
Dries Van Noten: Inspirations is on at Les Arts Decoratif until 31 August.
ooh what a feast for the eye..... and Paris for the soul too!!
ReplyDeleteAm going to Paris in May sadly for only 1 day so not sure I can fit this in however I will try.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit! Since I probably won't see this for myself...it is great to be taken there!
ReplyDeleteVisual feast indeed! Re the legendary textile authority and dandy Iris Apfel,there have been two major exhibits of her clothes + jewels - the first @ the Met in NYC 2006, and the second @ the PEM (Peabody Essex Museum) in Salem, Massachusetts 2009. The later was much more extensive - truly a WOW - and I even saw her there in person! Also, did you know she sells a jewelry line on HSN home shopping channel in the US? Yes, indeed, Iris herself on the telly.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous collection! Iris is fabulous as always!
ReplyDeleteDries! Sigh. I think he's a genius. Thank you for reminding me. I might get to Paris in September, but I suppose by then the exhibition will be gone.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tree - I really wish I'd caught the Rare Bird of Fashion exhibition (it should come to London!), and I know it's not quite the same but I have seen the book.
ReplyDeleteSo much beauty! Both modern and vintage - the Dior dress is exquisite.
ReplyDeleteoff topic, but that dior dress! swoon.
ReplyDeleteThat checked suit is gorgeous, I do love a bit of cool menswear. Love the jewellery, too.
ReplyDeletePrince Harry? Why? x
Vix - have a look at the list of icons...
ReplyDeleteI would think the Rare Bird of Fashion exhibition would be actually show best in London! The fun interactive of the PEM exhibit was digital "paper dolls" where one could construct outfits from a selection of her clothes + accessories.
ReplyDeleteTree - that sounds fantastic!
ReplyDeleteDuly noted -- I'll pin this to my WhatToDoInParis board. So glad your trip went so well!
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