One of the themes of Sleeping Beauties is museology itself.
Costume departments face challenges that other departments do not.
A vase is a vase is a vase is a vase; it exists apart from the body.
The catalog features one of Jun Takahashi’sspring 2024 Undercoverterrarium dresses.
In contrast, garments are animatedcompleted, evenby living, moving bodies.
Yet once a piece of clothing enters a museum collection its relation to skin and motion ceases.
Museums hold objects in public trust; ethical and conservation concerns prevent garments from ever again being worn.
Close-ups of the Butterfly dress by Charles James.
Close-ups of the Butterfly dress by Charles James.
Nick Knighthas photographed the garmentsall of which are pulled from the Costume Institutes holdingsas standalone objects for contemplation.
(Met photographer Anna-Marie Kellen is responsible for the images of the exhibitions sleeping beauties, i.e.
Elsa Schiaparelli’s bug necklace.
those too fragile to be dressed.)
A straightforward approach is also evident in the book design.
Elsa Schiaparellis bug necklace.
Anechoic Chamber recordings.
Waistcoat,British, 161520; Rogers Fund, 1923 (23.170.1).
Dye Analyses.
Hat, Jasper Conran (British, born 1959) andPhilip Treacy (British, born Ireland, 1966),1992;Gift of Jasper Conran, 1996 (1996.131).
Waistcoat,British, 1615−20; Rogers Fund, 1923 (23.170.1).
