Balenciaga : Shaping Fashion is pure fashion inspiration at the V&A Museum. One of this summer’s important exhibitions, the craft and sheer brilliance of the Balenciaga gowns is worth a visit alone.
However they are married with work from current big name fashion designers and these often only seen on the catwalk creations are equally as inspiring for any would be fashionista’s too.
Having also seen the Pink Floyd exhibition here a week ago I can’t help feeling that this is a great family day out, except Dad and son will go to Pink Floyd while Mum and daughter would enjoy Balenciaga far more.
Pink Floyd is impressive with lots of historical details about the band and original props from their mega influential stadium concerts but it is for a fan of the band or those of music appreciation. As I am not I was left a little disconnected by it.
Balenciaga on the other hand, well….. Not only is there an A4 paper pattern to take away for a very simple one seam coat design that means you can copy and have your own Balenciaga original, there is also a dressing area with a pale green elegant long cape that can turn into a skirt to swish and swirl in for a selfie.
In hand with the new larger and redesigned V&A shop this is a day long visit destination for the summer months.
Balenciaga : Shaping Fashion sponsored by American Express at the V&A Museum opens on Saturday 27th May, and runs till 18th February 20178. Pink Floyd is already open and runs till October.
Balenciaga Shaping Fashion at the V&A showing one of the X-Ray photographs to reveal the inner workings of gowns by Nick Veasey
Woman`s double breasted evening cape; white gazar; front view; designed by Cristabel Balenciaga (1895 – 1972) February 1963
The modern version designed in 2006 by Nicolas Ghesquiere lent by the Balenciaga Archives, fashion inspiration from the master
Model wearing Balenciaga-coat as I. Magnin buyers inspect a dinner outfit in the background,Paris 1954-by Mark Shaw / mptvimages.com
The upstairs gallery with the modern inspirations derived from Balenciaga’s philosophy, in front the controversial off shoulder padded coat by Demna Gvasalia 2015
Diana Vreeland shows off the one seam Balenciaga coat for which you can take a simple paper sheet with the pattern and instructions on at the V&A exhibition, I’ll be having a go, will you?
The shock of Balenciaga’s sack dress is compared to the shock of Commes Des Garcons increasingly architectural style
Cristóbal Balenciaga in his studio at Avenue Marceauin Paris late 1950s. Photograph by Cecil Beaton © Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sothebys
Photos from V&A museum except 6/7 Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
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