Monday, September 22

i HEART V&R


What could be better than a cloudy Sunday afternoon (no hangover included) spent in a cosy museum surrounded by skilfully made Haute Couture? Exactly. I spent one of such days at the Barbican in London city. I expected it to be an enjoyable time but it turns out Dutch fashion has special powers. The entrance to the exhibition was rather surrealistic –Russian dolls dressed in layers of fabrics as if made by spiders and headless mannequins in white PVC. But it soon got very interesting with a number or hanging gold organza dresses and a recording of kids reciting the names of the top models of the 90’s —the designers’ reaction to the era’s worshipping of the runway walkers.
That good turn was only the beginning of THE fashion experience between two walls. Mini-reproductions of the designers’ most iconic pieces filled a 16-feet tall dollhouse, some of which could be found large scale later on. However, my favourite part of the exhibition was the successive display on the walls of every V&R catwalk show ever every of which was accompanied by life-size dolls dressed in the most characteristic gowns from every collection. Sitting on the benches set on the sides of the projections, crossing your legs and nodding approval you felt an active part of the front row no matter if the show happened in 1993 or six months ago. The only action to be performed was to walk from one cubicle to another and find a spot on a bench and let be absorbed. An absorption that only saw itself interrupted by the curators shouting the 5-minutes to closing warning. I only missed a couple of runway videos, so no harm done and great happiness found.
I ought to confess, though, that I was never a fan of the Dutch pair but The House of Viktor & Rolf opened my eyes and pointed my sight in the right direction. It is baffling how much you can miss out on when you are not aware of the ideas behind the collections and thus, what an incredible experience you can make out of them when you take a bit of time and find what they are all about.
If you were among the lucky ones to pay a visit to the Barbican between June 18th and September 21st you will most certainly know what I am on about. If you were not, I hope everything above left you with a good taste in your mouth.





I’m off.

19 comments:

B L O G H E R said...

they are inspiring and quirky, which makes them the best designer duo ever!

Paula Sexy Beast said...

OK Im freaking out, I hate porcelain dolls!!!!!!! They r so scary and the music on the video!! Its gorgeous, true, I love V&R, great designs, incredible bold gowns, but why the dolls!!!! Im terrified

Juliet said...

V&R were one of my first fashion idols. I'd wanted to see that.

juliet xxx

ooohmaureen said...

they are great!

Paul Pincus said...

they're GENIUS and they know it!

Winnie said...

I really wanted to see this but alas I had no spare time on my side. Appeals to the fashion conscious as well as the element of childlike curiosity in all of us!!

bronwyn said...

So glad you're back dear, drop me a comment and I'll add u 2 my blogroll again....kisssessss and hugggggggs....bronwyn

Myriam said...

I'm so sad that I never went there when I was in London in August: (

Ray TETAUIRA said...

victor & rolf !! cute cute !!

your sassy reporter said...

Putting your couture collection in a doll house! Very innovative. It tickles something childish in you - it's an eye candy.

Coco's Tea Party said...

I spent hours in there. I am now an official V&R groupie!

Rebecca, The Clothes Horse said...

I love V&R too. They're always more fun and quirky than other designers--true originals.

Char Ruiz Manjarrez said...

I was in london, wanted to go so bad and left on the 15th! How infuriating is that!? Ahh, at least you did this marvelous post so I could see what I missed. Lovely

C.

Jillian Hobbs said...

i love the two of them!

Anonymous said...

Iñaaki precioso por que no haces una entrada de gafas d sol??

hila said...

lovely, strange and disturbing, but I love it :)

atelier said...

they are so big, but I hate those dolls tough

Susana R. said...

i also like V&R a lot!
btw, the Hardy Amies quote rocks! ;)

Shaz said...

i love the creepiness of the video and the music! Victor and Rolf are so awesome!