Fashion Exhibitions to Visit This Summer

The art of style

The start of summer is synonymous with many different things—warmer weather, brighter days, the trade of muted spring jackets for colorful dresses, and of course the annual Met Gala, which just happened last week. Considered the “Superbowl of fashion,” the star-studded, invite-only (enter cry face) benefit celebrates the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition. In response to technological advances in the fashion industry, this year’s theme was “Manus x Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology.” In other words, the intersection between fashion and technology.

In honor of the fashionable event that we vicariously attended through Getty Images, we’ve composed a list of smaller but still impactful fashion exhibits to enjoy for the summer.

All of Everything: Todd Oldham Fashion – Rhode Island

As one of the most influential designers in American fashion, Todd Oldham is known for his craftsmanship and his fun, lighthearted approach to style. He got his start in the design world when he was just fifteen years old after creating his first dress out of pillow cases. After graduating high school, he began his entrepreneurship when he borrowed $100 from his parents to build a small collection out of 41 yards of plain, white cotton jersey, which he transformed into beautiful pieces of clothing through his detailed work—and sold to Neiman Marcus. Oldham’s rise in the industry is a true success story of building an empire out of nothing. From now until September 11, you can catch over 65 of his most spirited works on display at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum.

RISDmuseum.org

#Techstyle – Massachusetts

You could probably guess what this is about just by the title—and also if you paid close attention to the Met Gala theme. Fashion is in relation to technology more than you think. Although there were some outrageously bold looks at the Met Gala, wearable technology is not always futuristic or in your face. In fact, we’re willing to bet you have a few garments in your closet that you haven’t realized were technologically advanced. You know that work out gear you have with antimicrobial and wicking technology? That’s considered tech style. From 3-D printing, climate control, and solar energized clothing to medicinal and digital accessories, it’s everywhere. Explore the synergy between technology and fashion at Museum of Fine Arts Boston exhibition through July 10.

MFA.org

Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair – Washington

Making history as the first exhibition to dive in on the Ebony Fashion Fair, the Bellevue Arts Museum explores the fifty-year history of Ebony Magazine’s game-changing fashion history, which redefined the concepts of beauty, style, and empowerment for African Americans. The exhibit will feature clothing, accessories, videos, and designs from Christian Dior, Stephen Burrows, Nina Ricci, Sarli, Emanuel Ungaro, Vivienne Westwood, and more. You have from May 20 to August 14 to catch this traveling exhibit before it makes its way elsewhere!

BellevueArts.org

Baroque to Bling! High Art and Low from the Collection of Donna MacMillan – Palm Springs

The play on words on the exhibit title alone is enough reason to go! Extending through October 16, this grand showcase of sophisticated style highlights the finer things in life. Prepare to be enchanted by the extraordinary embellishment of excess bling and ornate designs from a collection comprised of bold art, fashion, and design objects of collector Donna MacMillan. Also, dip your toes into rich and lavish pieces from artists and designers like Tim Noble, the Campana brothers, Sue Webster, and Ernesto Neto.

PSmuseum.org

Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear, 1715-2015 – Los Angeles

Men’s fashion is actually more than a compilation of bow ties, Zengna suits, white T-shirts, and jeans. It’s full of frilly designs and is probably more interesting than you think. Believe it or not, they’ve had a full circle of padded, sequined, and body-conscious ensembles, too! From zoot suits to sans-culottes pants, you’ve got until August 21 to revisit 500 years of men’s fashion at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

LACMA.org

Barbie Expo – Montreal, Canada

This exhibition is actually a permanent museum, but since Mattel’s Barbie is so heavily influenced by the fashion industry, we had to put it on our list! The exhibit is probably one of the biggest to celebrate fashion history, celebrities, fashion icons, movies, and artists through a display of more than 700 of the iconic dolls. There is even a Barbie fashion show with the ll.5-inch doll donning couture garments of Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Valentino, and other classic high-end designers.

ExpoBarbie.ca

These six fashion exhibits to visit give you six reasons to enjoy your summer by traveling and exploring the history of fashion! Which one will you go to first?