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In nineteenth-century domestic ideology, women played an important role as ‘beautifiers’ of themselves and their homes. With an eye on comfort, the lady of the house would decorate the interior with soft cushions and textures, drapes, handiwork and all manner of knickknacks. Her body, too, was weighed down with layers of fabric and passementerie with the result that she merged with her interior, almost to the point of disappearing altogether.
This visual mergence was given substance by a number of discerning male creatives, including Henry van de Velde, who started designing women’s clothes. In their pursuit of harmony, they unified architecture, furniture, decor, clothing and accessories to create a total work of art.
Modernist (interior)architects like Adolf Loos, Lilly Reich and Le Corbusier also had their opinions about fashion, which were consistent with their vision of design. They strove for functionality and were opposed to unnecessary ornament.
Contemporary creations by (among others) Maison Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, Raf Simons and Hussein Chalayan on display in the exhibition, serve as a cue to reflect on the historical correlation between interior and fashion.
With works and loans by 20Age Archive, Akanthos, Ann Demeulemeester, bel etage Gallery, BOTTER, Charlier Museum, Craig Green, Dallas Museum of Art, Design Museum Gent, Diktats Bookstore, Dirk Van Saene, Dominique Lelys, Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, Fondation Le Corbusier, Galerie Maxime Flatry, Galerie Yves, Macaux, German Textile Museum Krefeld, HoGent, Hussein Chalayan, Isolde Pringiers, J. & L. Lobmeyr, Koninklijke Bibliotheek van België, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen, Kunstmuseen Krefeld, Lanvin, Leopold Museum, Maison Margiela, MAK – Museum of Applied Arts, Marcus Tomlinson, Marine Serre, Max Reynders, Mudam Luxembourg, Musée royal de Mariemont, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Raf Simons Collection, Richard Malone, Serax, The Mark Wallis Collection, Musée de Chelles Alfred-Bonno, Vitra Design Museum, Vlaams Architectuurinstituut, Von Parish Kostümbibliothek, Wien Museum, …
Exhibition under the lead of
Curator: Romy Cockx
Exhibition design: Altu Space
Graphic design: Jelle Jespers
Campaign image: Amber Valletta wearing a suit, photographed by Craig McDean for Interview Magazine, July 2014. Photo Craig McDean/Art+Commerce, model Amber Valletta.
