Fashion and Nature at the Met Museum

On July 12, 2024, I visited the Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion show at the Met Museum. Earlier this year, I saw the fashion-oriented orchid show at the New York Botanical Garden, so was ready for another nature-in-fashion exhibition.

Any time an exhibition is billed as “immersive,” I shudder because I have enough trouble trying to pay attention to one or two senses, without something trying to engage all five of my senses at once. I found the Met show very claustrophobic, and hated the idea of sticking my nose against tubes and walls to smell whatever they were exuding. I am not a fashion maven, but did enjoy some of the displays.

*Yves Saint Laurent, “Irises Jacket,” 1988*

*Attributed to Pierre Gerber for Callot Soeurs, wedding ensemble, 1930*

*Jun Takahashi for Undercover, dress, 2024. 3D printed clear resin containing pink silk roses and silk butterflies overlaid with white nylon tulle. The trimming is embossed leather.*

*Jeanne Lanvin, House of Lanvin, “Roseraie” evening dress, 1923*

There were a mix of historical and somewhat current designer outfits, and the labeling is informative and pretty thorough. I did have some trouble seeing the pieces that were higher (see the photo at the top of this blog), and couldn’t always tell what piece was by whom. The items in this slide show I found interesting, but I failed to photograph the labels. The bird is a taxidermed example of how birds were used in fashion from the late 1800s through the early 1900s. The necklace, I believe, is by from the House of Schiaparelli from 1938-9, and the fan is Brazilian from 1865-75.

I really didn't think the show held together, although I admit I hurried through the last half, anxious to get out (partly because I didn't want to spend too much time looking at taxidermed birds).

I then visited the Harlem Renaissance exhibition, which was much more exciting, with stunning artworks.