When the first Monday in May rolls around, all eyes in the fashion world look to The Met. That is when New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art hosts its fundraising gala for its Costume Institute. The gala's theme coincides with that year's fashion exhibit, which runs for a limited time. This year, the theme is "Notes on 'Camp'". Here's a brief description of that theme, courtesy of The Met.
Jeremy Scott (American, born 1975) for House of Moschino (Italian, founded 1983). Dress, spring/summer 2017. Courtesy of Moschino. Photo © Johnny Dufort, 2019
"Through more than 250 objects dating from the seventeenth century to the present, The Costume Institute's spring 2019 exhibition will explore the origins of camp's exuberant aesthetic. Susan Sontag's 1964 essay 'Notes on 'Camp'' provides the framework for the exhibition, which examines how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality and exaggeration are expressed in fashion."
When I first decided to write a post about this year's Met theme, I initially wanted to share some fashion from the gala. Although there were a few stand out pieces, what seemed to draw me in more were the pieces that are included in the actual exhibit. In turn, I wanted to share some of those images with you, courtesy of The Met.
Alessandro Michele (Italian, born 1972) for Gucci (Italian, founded 1921). Ensemble, fall/winter 2016–17. Courtesy of Gucci Historical Archive. Photo © Johnny Dufort, 2018
This exhibit, "Notes on 'Camp'", is a way to show how fashion can and does have fun with itself. Many of us in the industry take what we do very seriously, although, it's always good to inject a little irony or humor into it every now and then too. So, let's all have fun with fashion with this exhibit. I'm looking forward to seeing the designs in person and how the camp theme is brought to life.
"Notes on 'Camp'" runs through September 8, 2019, at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art. For more information, visit metmuseum.org.
- AimeeComments will be approved before showing up.
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The paparazzi horde, La Dolce Vita, 1960 – photo courtesy of Vanity Fair
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