Why not make your holiday break a fusion of cultural exploration and haute couture wonders? There are a plethora of must-visit exhibitions currently underway all around the globe that seamlessly blend artistry, history, and innovation. From iconic designer retrospectives to cutting-edge showcases at renowned museums in Shanghai, London, and beyond, these exhibitions promise to captivate and inspire your fashion-forward soul during your festive travels this season. Read on for a curated list of must-visit exhibitions that offer a glimpse into the dynamic and ever-evolving world of fashion and promise to ignite your passion for couture.
Prada Pradasphere II, Shanghai
Free and open to the public until Jan. 21, 2024 at Shanghai’s Start Museum, the exhibition features over 400 artifacts—spanning both physical and digital realms—drawn from the Italian label’s archive and spanning decades-long engagements with art, architecture, culture, and sport. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2014, Pradasphere II offers an immersive and diverse experience that unveils various elements that delve into the deep craft, skilled artistry, aesthetic contradictions central to the brand, and the ongoing efforts of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons to challenge traditional notions of luxury. This is also apparent in the exhibition space, which was created in collaboration with the renowned design studio 2×4 from New York City and Beijing, who transformed the venue into a lavish “magazzino” (Italian for warehouse) featuring industrial warehouse shelving juxtaposed with opulent pink silk velvet, symbolizing the multifaceted nature of the Prada universe.
Chloe: Karl x MET, Dubai
In conjunction with “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” the fashion exhibition currently on display at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Chloe flagship in Dubai Mall has decided to stage its on mini exhibit paying homage to the late German designer, who served as Chloe’s creative director for 20-years between 1963 and 1983. Situated in Fashion Avenue, the store has acquired several pieces designed by Lagerfeld from his spring 1983 ready-to-wear “guitar” collection for Chloe, in addition to their original sketches. Alongside the iconic guitar and arrow dresses, which were worn by Olivia Wilde and Maude Apatow at the 2023 Met Gala celebrating the famed couturier, there are modern-day interpretations by Chloe’s current creative director, Gabriella Hearst, also on display. The mini exhibit will run until the end of the month.
Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto, London
The first UK exhibition of its kind, “Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto” at London’s V&A showcases the evolution of pioneering designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s work and the establishment of the iconic Parisian maison. The journey unfolds from the opening of her inaugural millinery boutique in Paris in 1910 to the poignant presentation of her final collection in 1971. Featuring over 200 designs by the iconic French designer, including clothing, accessories, jewelry, accessories, cosmetics, and fragrance split into 10 themed sections, the exhibition includes rarely-seen pieces from the V&A’s own collection alongside archival creations from Chanel— including pieces worn by stars from Hollywood’s golden age. The exhibition, which kicked off in September, will run until February 2024.
Gucci Cosmos, London
Taking place at 180 Studios in London until December 31, contemporary artist Es Devlin brings Gucci’s heritage to life in this archival exhibition. Curated by fashion theorist Maria Luisa Frisa, Gucci Cosmos unfolds in nine installations, revealing the Italian House’s story from Guccio Gucci’s dream in a hotel elevator to the latest Gucci Ancora fashion show by Creative Director Sabato De Sarno. Each installation delves into different facets of Gucci, showcasing how its iconic codes adapt to and shape the ever-changing times. Following its debut in Shanghai, London hosts the second stop of this itinerant archival exhibition.
Iris Van Herpen. Sculpting the Senses, Paris
Running until April 28, 2024 “Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses” at the Musée des Arts décoratifs is celebrating the visionary fashion designer Iris van Herpen. Known for her pioneering integration of new technologies, the designer defies conventional clothing norms, seamlessly blending traditional Couture craftsmanship with cutting-edge techniques. From micro to macro perspectives, the exhibition explores the body’s place in space, its relationship with clothing and the environment, and its future in our rapidly evolving world. The exhibition, curated by Cloé Pitiot and assistant curator Louise Curtis, features over 100 haute couture pieces by Iris van Herpen engaging in a captivating dialogue with contemporary art from creators like Philip Beesley, Collectif Mé, Wim Delvoye, Kate MccGwire, and more.
