The Louvre’s ‘Louvre Couture: Art and Fashion — Statement Pieces’ exhibition showcases the inspiring relationship between art and fashion, featuring insights from renowned designers about their favorite museums.
The Louvre has embarked on its inaugural fashion exhibition titled “Louvre Couture: Art and Fashion — Statement Pieces,” which will be open to the public until July 21. This exhibition aims to underscore the inspiring relationship between art and fashion, with museums often serving as rich sources of creativity.
During the recent menswear and couture shows in Europe, Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) reached out to various designers to discuss their favorite museums worldwide. The responses provided a diverse mix of esteemed and lesser-known cultural institutions, each holding a unique significance to the individual designers.
Giorgio Armani expressed a deep affection for the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan, noting its architectural beauty and the masterpieces within, including works by Caravaggio and Hayez’s iconic “The Kiss.” Armani also praised the 21_21 Design Sight in Tokyo, designed by Tadao Ando, for its striking character and exceptional exhibitions.
Maria Grazia Chiuri of Dior recalled her fond memories of the Galleria Nazionale di Arte Moderna in Rome and the Brooklyn Museum in New York, both significant to her artistic development. Chiuri reminisced about attending the Rome gallery after school and being captivated by its former director, Palma Bucarelli.
Anthony Vaccarello, creative director at Saint Laurent, identified New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) as a top choice, noting its impressive exhibitions. Rick Owens favored the Tate Modern in London, appreciating its modern industrial space and architectural updates.
Nigo, representing Kenzo, pointed to Kawai Kanjiro’s House in Kyoto, an old Japanese-style residence-turned-museum dedicated to the ceramic artist. Giambattista Valli found it difficult to choose between the Calico Museum of Textiles in Ahmedabad, India, and Palazzo Massimo, the National Roman Museum.
Other notable mentions included the Victoria and Albert Museum in London from Peter Copping of Lanvin, the expansive Dia Beacon from Alexandre Mattuissi, and Alessandro Sartori’s appreciation for the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid.
Brunello Cucinelli reflected on his affinity for the National Museum in Athens due to his admiration for classic Greek culture, while Norbert Stumpfl of Brioni hailed Palazzo Altemps in Rome as a hidden gem filled with antiquities.
Kim Jones, Vice President of The Charleston Trust, emphasized the institution’s inspiration for his collection. Meanwhile, designers like Adeju Thompson and Jung Wook-jun highlighted their interests in decorative arts and traditional Korean art at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris and the Leeum Samsung Museum in Seoul, respectively.
Massimo Giorgetti favored London’s Tate Modern for its energy and ever-changing exhibitions, while Kiko Kostadinov expressed nostalgia for Tate despite his current focus on galleries. The Saatchi Gallery in London stood out to Feng Chen Wang for its contemporary art alignment.
Charles Jeffrey and Viktor & Rolf shared their love for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Japan’s art islands, respectively, while Gherardo Felloni found the Naples Archaeological Museum to be breathtakingly beautiful.
Emeric Tchatchoua shared a dedication to the Metropolitan Museum for its historical significance to fashion enthusiasts, alongside a passion for Stems Gallery in Brussels that showcases emerging artists.
Through these reflections, the designers provide insight into the role of museums as crucial spaces of inspiration and cultural engagement within the fashion industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services
