Sunday, November 6, 2011

The Daphne Guiness Exhibition at the FIT-- A Voyage to the pinnacle of Fashion Artistry

The mystery of yesterday's post is finally unveiled. For those who were burning with curiosity, you are now at peace. The shoes portrayed are no one else's work but that of the late Alexander McQueen, specifically made for Daphne Guinessone of today’s most original fashion icons. 

Although Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty exhibition has ended, fashion lovers can still see the amazing collection of Daphne Guinness, heir to the Guinness family fortune. The exhibit, co-curated by Guinness herself at the FIT museum, features over 100 of her personal designer garments and accessories, which include a few garments that she designed herself, and predominantly the works of Alexander McQueen (dating as far back as his work with Givenchy), Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix and Karl Lagerfeld. Other designers include Balmain, Azzedine Alaia, Valentino and Gareth Pugh.  


Carefully grouped into six sections, Daphne's looks brushed over the themes of Dandyism (menswear inspired), Armor (metallic, spikes and leather), Chic (dresses and suits), Evening Chic (classical looks), Exoticism (more dramatically tailored clothing) and Sparkle (sequins, feathers and beading). The thought that I was standing before mere pieces of clothing did not even cross my mind. The phenomenal finishing and detailing that was devoted to the making of these pieces made each collection more sumptuous than the previous. I was in the presence of true works of art, fashioned by some of the Grands Createurs I aspire to. I felt Daphne's presence was all around the space: flatscreen TVs displayed editorial images and commentaries of the fashion icon, and an audio headset provided a behind-the-scenes look at her fragrance commercial. Mannequins even sported her signature two-toned up-do hairstyle, while some were adorned with White Royal Imperial wigs.  


The exhibition moreover featured the work of Aero director Indrani including previews of her new film starring Daphne, titled, The Legend of Lady White Snake: A Tribute to the Spirit of Alexander McQueen, written and directed by Indrani. Photographs by Markus Klinko and Indranishot on the set of the film, were also on display. 


In short, you fashion lovers should make time to go see this exhibition, which runs through January 7th, 2012. It will transport your imagination to a fabulous fantasy place, somewhere in between McQueen's dark universe, Lagerfeld's flawless finishing and Givenchy's kaleidoscopic palette. Oh yes--I'm still dreamy about it!

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