Fashion enters the museum...

Published in Unique Estates Life Spring Issue 2025

Some of the most intriguing exhibitions this season present everything important from and beyond the runways.

THE QUEEN IN LONDON

The Victoria & Albert Museum presents the historic pearl of fashion – French Queen Marie Antoinette and her influence on art and haute couture. The first associations with her name are likely Sofia Coppola’s eponymous film, the delicate Manolo Blahnik shoes inspired by the wife of King Louis XVI, or her infamous words echoing through history, “If they have no bread, let them eat cake!”, which ultimately cost her her life. Marie Antoinette’s impact on style will be showcased in the large-scale retrospective Marie Antoinette Style, open to visitors from September 20 to March 22, 2025. A key highlight of the exhibition is a series of shoes created by Sarah Jessica Parker’s favorite designer – and her Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw’s as well – Manolo Blahnik, who a few years ago unveiled a special collection of shoes bearing the queen’s name.

THE MOST OFFICIAL GALA AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM

The Costume Institute Gala at New York’s Metropolitan Museum outshines even the Oscars’ red carpet and takes place every May. Once again, this year will be no exception, with the guest list personally curated by Vogue’s editor-in-chief and global content director Anna Wintour. She selects the exclusive invitees to these luxurious nights where fashion is the password. This year’s theme is Superfine – Black Suits, literally highlighting stylish and refined Black men who choose to wear suits. Following the hugely successful Men in Skirts (2003), this is the second exhibition focusing on men’s fashion. The official red carpet is on May 5, while from May 10 to October 15, the best in men’s tailoring will be on view at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

THE MUSEUM AS A RUNWAY

The Louvre’s first experiment in Paris to present the fascinating dialogue between art and fashion in the authentic setting of its galleries proved to be a great success. The exhibition runs until July 21 and showcases unforgettable haute couture creations alongside masterpieces of art in their mutual interplay.

BAYWATCHERS

Quite literally, but not in Malibu – in London. The Design Museum in the UK capital presents Splash! – A Century of Swimming and Style, where curators dive into the history of swimming and highlight its glamorous side, whether as sport, passion, or profession – swimwear. From Speedo’s daring men’s briefs to the collection of French designer Louis Réard, who dedicated himself entirely to swimsuits.

Until August 17.

INSIDE OUT

Where else but in Antwerp, home of the famous Antwerp Six (designers Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs, and Marina Yee), could fashion be viewed from such an unusual angle? Fashion and Interiors by Gender is inspired by fascinating stories found in archives, reflecting the domestic ideology of the 19th century. At that time, “the housewife created the interior with soft cushions and textures, curtains, handmade crafts and trinkets,” later lamenting that “her body had grown heavy under layers of fabric and she herself had blended into the interior almost to the point of disappearance.” Alongside some intriguing interior design pieces, the exhibition also features works by contemporary fashion designers such as Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, Raf Simons, and Hussein Chalayan. Until August 3 at MoMu, Antwerp.

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses is the exhibition presented at Kunsthal in Rotterdam. The Dutch fashion designer is renowned for her almost architectural approach to clothing, combined with her strong conviction that fashion is art.

From September 27 to March 2, 2026.