Saturday, November 12, 2011

Daphne Guinness Exhibit


Part of the Daphne Guinness Exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Technology. (Eileen Costa - Fashion Institute of Technology)

I recently saw the Daphne Guinness exhibit at Fashion Institute of Technology‘s museum. I have always been a fan of  Daphne’s style and fashion choices. I see a lot of my own personal style reflected in what she wears. In fact in my perfect world I would be wearing a fabulous pair of Alexander McQueen Armadillo shoes and a Christian Lacroix dress to work. 

The exhibit featured approximately 100 garments and accessories from Guinness’s personal collection, plus films, videos, and images of and by her. I was mesmerized by the beauty of her collection the second I entered the museum. The exhibition begins with an introductory gallery featuring a selection of Daphne’s notoriously vertiginous shoes, and then the main gallery is divided along a central axis into six sections, each devoted to an aspect of Daphne’s style. According to the exhibition’s pamphlet Daphne’s style is divided into 6 sections. 

DANDYISM: is devoted to Daphne’s “absolute passion for men’s clothes”-- especially crisp white shirts and tailored jackets (“In my next life, I’ll be a tailor”). There is so much cross-dressing in Shakespeare,” says Daphne. “I’m inspired by that.”
ARMOR: features clothing that alludes to Daphne’s love of armor. “I think it’s very beautiful to able to cover yourself in metal,” she says. “I love the color and the way it reflects. But it is also a protection.”
CHIC: looks at Daphne’s perfectly simple little black (and white and gray) dresses and suits. Classically elegant, they reflect the influence of her moth and grandmother. As Daphne says, “I don’t do event dressing, because every day is an event.”
EVENING CHIC: continues the theme of classical elegance, as interpreted by Daphne. “I like structure,” she says… with a bit of chaos.”
EXOTICISM: refers to Daphne’s penchant for sartorial drama. “Fashion today is becoming more beige,” she says. “By that I mean, everyone and everything is starting to look the same--almost like a Mao uniform. We should be flying the flag for individuality.”
SPARKLE: evokes Daphne’s words: I’m like a magpie-- I love anything that sparkles!” It also alludes to Daphne’s love of plumes. The couturier Valentino always teases her that he can tell where she’s been because of the trails of feathers and beads. 

Each piece in her collection is a work of art and I was almost brought to tears from the beauty of seeing her collection. I strongly admire her fearless disposition on wearing such extreme fashion. If you haven’t already seen this incredible exhibit and you love fashion then you must see it before it closes on January 7th 2012. For more information visit http://www.fitnyc.edu/10768.asp

Daphne Guinness (shoe detail) at the Steven Klein's "Time Capsule" Video Installation Preview at the Park Avenue Armory on Sept. 12, 2011 in New York City. (Mark Von Holden - GETTY IMAGES)
Red suede shoes by Nina Ricci. Part of the Daphne Guinness Exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Technology. (Eileen Costa - Fashion Institute of Technology)
Boots by Alexander McQueen. Part of the Daphne Guinness Exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Technology. (Eileen Costa - Fashion Institute of Technology)
Dress by Alexander McQueen. Part of the Daphne Guinness Exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Technology. (Eileen Costa - Fashion Institute of Technology)

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