Facebook Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok Icon YouTube Icon Headphones Icon Favorite Navigation Search Icon Forum Search Icon Main Search Icon Close Icon Video Play Icon Indicator Arrow Icon Close Icon Hamburger/Search Icon Plus Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon
How-to

Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, at the Metropolitan Museum, New York

Dior haute couture, spring/summer 2015.

New Fashion Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute

Lovers of fashion and, especially, makers of beautiful garments will be inspired by the Metropolitan Museum’s latest large-scale exhibition. Organized by the Met’s Costume Institute and on view at the museum from May 5 through August 14, 2016, the show explores “how fashion designers are reconciling the handmade and the machine-made in the creation of haute couture and avant-garde ready-to-wear.”

In addition to examples of traditional couture métiers, such as embroidery, pleating, lacework, artificial flowers, and featherwork, the exhibition will include works created by 3-D printing, welding, laser cutting, laminating, and more. You’ll also see muslins and prototypes, so you can understand the creative process as well as admire the finished garments.

Dior pleated skirt

Miyake pleats

Iris van Herpen 2010

Iris van Herpen 2012

Balenciaga

If you can’t make it to the exhibition this summer, there’s a fully illustrated catalog that gives you detailed views of the garments, and includes interviews with designers and a discussion of how technology has influenced fashion.

In Threads #187 (October/November 2016), author Claire Shaeffer will compare a couture Chanel jacket to a ready-to-wear version, so you can see up close how these two veins of design and manufacturing relate to each other. Look for it on newsstands in early September, or follow this link to subscribe.

Discuss

Threads Insider

Get instant access to hundreds of videos, tutorials, projects, and more.

Start Your Free Trial

Already an Insider? Log in

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

More From Threads

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |

Threads Insider Exclusives

View All
View All

Highlights