Image via Savoir Ville
The New York City Metropolitan Museum of Art is known for grand, thematic fashion exhibitions at the Costume Institute. Well, as of this year, the Institute is now the Anna Wintour Costume Center and they have announced the fall 2014 theme: “Death Becomes Her: A Century of Mourning Attire.” This will be the first fall fashion exhibit at the Met in seven years.
It may seem morbid, but this theme is all about a fashion history moment. The exhibit will reportedly showcase 30 styles of funereal attire from the period between 1815 and 1915. In the spring exhibit, the Met paid homage to the very glamorous, vintage work of couturier Charles James. “Death Becomes Her” explores more of a sombre theme that will reportedly take us back to specific fashion moments from Queens Victoria and Alexandra.
According to the Costume Center’s curator-in-charge Harold Koda, the veil alone on a grieving widow became a major social statement during that era. Fashion has been influential for centuries, darling! Not to mention, an all-black exhibit just happens to fit right in with New York fashion culture at the moment.
“Death Becomes Her” will be on view from October 21 through February 1, 2015. I can’t wait!