Winter Exhibitions :)

The end of 2012 has seen some fantastic fashion and costume exhibitions, some of which I didn't manage to get to, namely, the 'Hollywood Costume' exhibition at the V&A, in London, which finished this week.

The museum showcased a collection of several iconic movie costumes from a century of filmmaking, exploring the central role of costume design in cinema storytelling. I am devastated that I missed out on the opportunity to see clothes worn by characters such as Scarlett O'Hara, Holly Golightly, Darth Vader and Indiana Jones.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-hollywood-costume/about-the-exhibition/ Maybe next time!

I have, however secured myself a ticket for the current Valentino exhibition at Somerset House, and I can't wait! http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual-arts/valentino

I watched the latest catwalk show on-line a few days ago, as the Haute Couture collection 'Enchanted Garden' debuted in Paris http://www.elleuk.com/catwalk/designer-a-z/valentino/couture-ss-2013/collection
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli have created a beautiful range of flawlessly tailored garments in crisp cream cloth, some with piped decoration in swirls and linear formations which allude to that of ornate garden gates. Fine ball gowns with fitted bodices and full and flowing below the waist, ring true to the strong elegant and feminine silhouette which epitomizes the signature style of Valentino heritage. Exquisite beading embellishes a light day-dress, each intricate detail beaded slightly differently from another. Cara Delevingne models an incredible dress consisting entirely of crocheted florals inspired by vintage fabrics from the 19th century.  http://www.elleuk.com/var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/valentino/couture-ss-2013/collection/valentino-couture-ss13-020-valentino-paris-couture-ss-2013/15006747-1-eng-GB/valentino-couture-ss13-020_CA.jpg

One particular piece in the collection, a long robe made from Tulle, took 2,500 hours to stitch with silver and gold thread. That's 105 days!  

I'll be combining my visits to a few London museums with a day of cloth shopping for my own fashion business Moda Mi, as I build up a range of gorgeous fabrics to accompany my lively Summer print developments! : )
I'll be heading down to the Design Museum to check out their new range of 400 fashion garments from the likes of Chanel, Vivienne Westwood and Givenchy, which have recently been donated by one of the museum's trustees. I'll also be checking out the work of selected Scandinavian designers at Somerset House, in an exhibition created for London Fashion Week, which hones in on up and coming designers from Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
There's a collection of Oscar gowns from Anna Karenina being exhibited in Richmond too! Having spent the weekend being totally spoilt by fashion nostalgia, I hope I make it that far out of the city with such a busy fashionista schedule!

http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2013/01/25/anna-karenina-costume-exhibition---jacqueline-durran-oscar-nomination-best-costume-design---ham-house
Updates to come!...