The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute has announced its highly anticipated spring exhibition for 2024, which will set the stage for the annual Met Gala. Titled 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,' the exhibition will run from May 10 to September 2, showcasing 250 rare 'masterworks' from the Institute's archive.
This year's theme takes a more conceptual approach, drawing inspiration from fashion history, nature, technology, and the senses. The exhibition aims to offer a new perspective on these iconic pieces, inviting museum-goers to experience them in a fresh and imaginative way.
According to the curator Andrew Bolton, when clothing items become part of the museum's collection, they undergo a transformation from functional garments to static artworks. The exhibition seeks to breathe new life into these pieces, reconnecting them with their original vibrancy and dynamism.
All the showcased garments will be linked by their ties to the natural world, exploring themes of rebirth and renewal. Some fragile pieces will be displayed as 'sleeping beauties' in glass cases, allowing visitors to observe their intricate details up close with the help of microscopes.
Modern technology will play a key role in enhancing the exhibition experience. Visitors can interact with a 3-D-printed maquette of a 'Mini Miss Dior' dress and listen to an audio recording of razor clam shells embroidered on an Alexander McQueen dress. Additionally, a custom ChatGPT portal will enable guests to engage with a virtual persona named Natalie Potter, offering insights into the fashion world of 1930s New York.
The exhibition will culminate with the display of Natalie Potter's 1931 wedding dress by Callot Soeurs, providing a captivating finale to the immersive journey through fashion history and innovation.
