The Styloko Guide To Must-See Summer Exhibitions

Posted by Styloko

We’ve come to the conclusion that 2012 is possibly one of the most exciting years in terms of fashion and art. Since we know it’ll be impossible to get round all of them, we’ve put together a list of the must-see exhibitions we think cultured fashionistas (i.e. peeps like us) shouldn’t miss. And if you’re feeling a bit left out because you still haven’t seen the Marc Jacobs Louis Vuitton exhibition in Paris that everyone is talking about, don’t fret, you have until September 16 (hello, Eurostar).

1. Christian Louboutin, Design Museum, London

Shoe fanatics will delight at the much-hyped Christian Louboutin retrospective, which launched just last week. The exhibition, celebrating the iconic shoe designer’s 20-year career, explores Louboutin’s intricate design process – from the initial drawings to the prototype and production –  as well his ability to push the boundaries of shoe design. May 1 – July 9, 2012  

2. Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950, Victoria & Albert Museum, London

To celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Fashion Galleries, the V&A is launching an exhibit dedicated to the glamorous world of red carpet dressing. It features more than 60 designs from the museum’s archive, as well as show-stopping catwalk pieces by contemporary British designers. And just in time for the Queen’s Jubilee, a selection of royal ballgowns, including Princess Diana’s Elvis dress, will also be on display. May 19, 2012 – January 6, 2013

3. Designing 007 – Fifty Years of Bond Style, Barbican, London

A unique exhibition to mark the 50th anniversary of the James Bond franchise. ‘Designing 007′ will be a multi-sensory experience, immersing the audience in the creation and development of set production, the automobiles, the gadgets, and the iconic Bond style. James Bond fans: prepare to be impressed by the display of gizmos and weapons made especially for the secret agent and his adversaries by special effects experts John Stears and Chris Corbould. July 5 – September 5, 2012 

4. Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, The MET, New York

Remember last year’s McQueen exhibition at The Met? Well, this year’s Schiaparelli and Prada display is touted to be just as good, if not better. The show will focus on the striking affinities between two Italian designers from completely different eras, specifically the approaches they’ve chosen for similar themes that appear in both their work, like surrealism and ‘ugly chic’. Inspired by Miguel Covarrubias’ Impossible Interviews for Vanity Fair in the 30s, the exhibition will feature orchestrated conversations between the two iconic women alongside the most iconic examples of their work.  May 10 – August 19, 2012

5. Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective, Denver Art Museum, Colorado

Alright, Denver isn’t exactly on our vacation list, but it may well be worth considering since Colorado’s Art Museum will be the YSL Retropective’s only US stop. Having toured Paris and Madrid, this must-see exhibition, sponsored by the Pierre Berge Foundation, features a collection of more than 200 garments from the designer’s 40-year career, along with photographs, drawings and films illustrating the development of YSL’s iconic style. March 25 – July 8, 2012 

6. Christian Lacroix, La Source and the Paris Opera Ballet, CNCS, Moulins

The museum that hosted French couturier Christian Lacroix’s retrospective in 2007 continues to come up trumps with the launch of an exhibition showcasing his intricately detailed costume designs for the ballet La Source. Lacroix designed in total 77 Swarovski crystal-encrusted looks worn on stage for a performance at the Palais Garnier in November last year, all of which will be on display in a space curated by the designer himself. June 16 – December 31, 2012

7. Roger Vivier – Process to Perfection, Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto

The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto steps up its game by bringing together the most comprehensive collection of shoe icon Roger Vivier’s designs North America has ever seen in ‘Process to Perfection’. The exhibition will showcase Vivier’s elegant, sculptural and bejwelled shoes as well as his iconic buckled designs, which were popularised by Catherine Deneuve, alongside never before seen drawings of his masterpieces. Another one to entice the shoe-aholics – hands up, we know who you are. May 9, 2012 – April 7, 2013

8. Diana Vreeland: After Diana Vreeland, Palazzo Fortuny, Venice

Don’t miss your last chance to catch the first major exhibition dedicated to the extraordinary fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who was as known for her innate sense of style as for her dynamic and groundbreaking work. The display will consist of garments and special objects by Balenciaga, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, alongside photographs documenting her career from the Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue days to her role as a consultant for the Costume Institute at The Met in New York. March 10 – June 25, 2012 

9. The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to Catwalk, de Young Fine Arts Museum, San Francisco

A lively and dynamic multimedia exhibition showcasing the colourful and often controversial creations by the fashion enfant terrible. Aside from 140 haute couture and pret-a-porter pieces dating back to 1970, Gaultier has also collaborated with Montreal-based theatre company Ubu Compagnie de Création to curate 30 animated mannequins who talk and sing in playful poetic vignettes, clad (of course) in the designer’s garments. March 24 – August 19, 2012 

10. Go Figure: New Fashion Illustration, Fashion Space Gallery, London

This ever expanding contemporary art space located in the London College of Fashion is often overlooked, but we think ‘Go Figure’ is the perfect example of why it shouldn’t be. The soon-to-open show is the second in a series of exhibitions which showcase the brightest young talents across the field of fashion. Bringing together more than 60 works by 13 fashion illustrators with very distinct and diverse styles, the exhibition should give an interesting insight to today’s talents from the UK and abroad. May 9 – July 12, 2012 

11. Stephen Jones: From Georgina to Boy George, The Bowes Museum, Durham

Anna Piaggi’s favourite milliner, Stephen Jones, is arguably the most inventive hatmaker working today. His upcoming exhibition at the Bowes Museum, which explores the designer’s work through the analysis of his inspirations, particularly from the Georgian era, is not to be missed. The selection, which includes personal loans from Jones himself, will be modelled on vintage mannequins that are sure to give the event a unique feel in line with the museum’s beautiful surroundings. May 19 – September, 2012