If you follow this blog, then you probably know that going to fashion exhibits is a major hobby of mine. I recently posted about the Louis Vuitton trunk exhibit and I’m already back to gush about not one, but two more incredible exhibits in NYC. Earlier this year, during my birthday weekend, I ventured over to the Brooklyn Museum to catch the Thierry Mugler and Virgil Abloh exhibitions before they ended. Here’s some info about the iconic designers, what I thought about the displays, and the photos I took while I was there.
Each special exhibit costs $20 and includes general admission to the rest of the museum.
Thierry Mugler: “Couturissime”
The popular exhibit Thierry Mugler: “Couturissime“ is open now through May 7 and does a beautiful job of celebrating the edgy French designer. Mugler, who passed away in January 2022, was known for his daring designs, inventive silhouettes, unique materials, and provocative style. He dressed tons of A-List celebs, including Beyoncé, Cardi B, and Kim Kardashian.
The exhibit is stunning and features over one hundred outfits. I was able to learn a lot about Mugler’s ties to all different creative industries, including photography, theater, music, and fragrance. I love that his work is such a fun mix of sexy, camp, playful, and avant guard. He was definitely ahead of his time and was always pushing the limits when it came to his designs and creative endeavors.
Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech”
The exhibit Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech” closed at the end of January, but I still wanted to share it for those who didn’t get a chance to check it out. Abloh is one of my favorite designers of all time. Sadly, he died of cancer in November 2021 at only 41 years old. He is such an icon in both the fashion industry and in the Black community. This exhibit dove into not only clothes and sneakers, but also his talents when it came to architecture and other forms of design. Founding the popular luxury streetwear label Off-White and serving as the first Black American to hold an artistic director position at Louis Vuitton, he certainly created a fashion legacy.
As a sneakerhead, of course I loved the fact that they had many of his iconic sneaker designs on display. There was also Louis Vuitton accessories, outfits, speakers, sculptures, and so many cool things to look at. The space was set up with simple wooden tables and blue metal clothing racks, which allowed the pieces space to shine. The exhibit really matched the vibe of Abloh’s urban-meets-luxury aesthetic. I definitely enjoyed being able to see such a wide range of his artistic contributions in one space.
Are you familiar with Mugler or Abloh’s work?
