After Alexander McQueen in 2011, The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art is paying homage to Italian designers Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada. The exhibition Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations will explore the striking affinities between these two iconic women from different eras.
In the galleries, emblematic ensembles by Schiaparelli and Prada will be presented with videos of imaginary conversations between the two designers directed by Baz Luhrmann, focusing on how both women explore explore similar themes in their work through very different approaches.
"Given the role Surrealism and other art movements play in the designs of both Schiaparelli and Prada, it seems only fitting that their inventive creations be explored here at the Met. Schiaparelli's collaborations with Dali and Cocteau as well as Prada's Fondazione Prada push art and fashion ever closer, in a direct, synergistic, and culturally redefining relationship."
~~Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Drawn from The Costume Institute's collection and the Prada Archive, as well as other institutions and private collections, signature objects by both designers will be arranged in seven themed galleries.
"Juxtaposing the work of Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada allows us to explore how the past enlightens the present and how the present enlivens the past."
~~Harold Koda, Curator in Charge
George Hoyningen-Huené (Russian, 1900-1968) Guido Harari (Italian, born Cairo, 1952)
Portrait of Elsa Schiaparelli, 1932 Portrait of Miuccia Prada, 1999
Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art
Hoyningen-Huené/Vogue; © Condé Nast Guido Harari/Contrasto/Redux
Wallis Simpson in Elsa Schiaparelli, Vogue, Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 2011
June 1, 1937 Courtesy of The Metropolitam Museum of Art,
Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph by © David Sims
Photograph by Cecil Beaton, Cecil Beaton Studio
Diana Vreeland i Elsa Schiaparelli, Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 2005
Harper's Bazaar, April 1937 Courtesy of the Met Museum of Art,
Courtesy of the Met Museum of Art, Photograph Photograph by © Toby McFarlan Pond
by Louise Dahl-Wolfe Louise Dahl-Wolfe Archive
© 2012 Center for Creative Photography, Arizona
Elsa Schiaparelli, Vogue, September15, 1938 Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 1999
Courtesy of the Met Museum of Art, Photograph Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art,
by Horst Horst / Vogue; © Condé Nast Photograph © Toby McFarlan Pond
Elsa Schiaparelli, Vogue Paris, February 1927 Miuccia Prada, autumn/winter 1996-97
Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art, Photograph Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art,
by George Hoyningen-Huené ©R. J. Horst Photograph by © Toby McFarlan Pond
Elsa Schiaparelli, Vogue, September 15, 1938 Miuccia Prada, autumn/winter 2004-5
Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art
Photograph by Regina Relang Photograph by © Toby McFarlan Pond
Elsa Schiaparelli, Vogue Paris, June 1949 Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 2006
Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art, Photograph by Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art,
Rutledge Rutledge @ Vogue Paris Photograph by ©Toby McFarlan Pond
Elsa Schiaparelli in Elsa Schiaparelli, autumn 1931 Miuccia Prada, autumn/winter 2004-5
Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art, Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
Photograph by Man Ray © 2012 Artists Rights Photograph by © Toby McFarlan Pond
Society (ARS), New Yor / ADAGP, Paris
Elsa Schiaparelli, Vogue, June, 1935 Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 2004
Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art, Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art
Photograph by Horst Horst / Vogue; Photograph by © Toby McFarlan Pond
Elsa Schiaparelli, Harper's Bazaar, February 1935 Miuccia Prada, autumn/winter 2002-3
Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art, Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art,
Photograph by André Durst Photograph by © David Sims
Harper's Bazaar/Hearst Communications, Inc
Wallis Simpson in Elsa Schiaparelli, British Vogue, Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 2000
July 10, 1935 Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art
Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art, Cecil Beaton Photograph by © David Sims
Elsa Schiaparelli, L'Officiel, October 1937 Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 2000
Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art, Courtesy of The Met Museum of Art,
Photograph by George Saad Photograph by © Toby McFarlan Pond
Copyright © Les Editions Jalou, L'Officiel
All images are from the exhibition catalogue,
Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada: Impossible Conversations published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2012The exhibition is on view from May 10 through August 19, 2012, preceded on May 7 by The Costume Institute Gala Benefit.
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