|
 Versace
at the V & A
A Retrospective of Gianni
Versace (1946-1997)
17th October 2002 – 12th January 2003
A
major retrospective of the work of fashion designer Gianni Versace
(1946 –1997) will open at the Victorian & Albert Museum
in October 2002. Versace at the V&A is the largest exhibition
the museum has ever dedicated to one fashion designer.
Versace at the V&A will feature
the most comprehensive collection of clothing ever exhibited
from the Versace archives. More than 130 of his designs will
be on display. It will examine the lifetime’s work of
this leading designer, illustrating the diversity of his work
over 30 years. The exhibition will show Versace’s great
originality and versatility, and also the craft and innovative
technical developments which he pursued in his search for
beauty.
The house
of Versace is renowned for its style and luxury and Gianni
Versace was famous for dressing the most glamorous celebrities.
The exhibition will feature high profile works worn by Princess
Diana, Elton John, Madonna, Courtney Love, and the unforgettable
safety pin dress worn by Elizabeth Hurley.
Other major themes will include
Versace’s designs for numerous opera and ballet productions
featuring many of his stunning theatrical pieces. These include
costumes for the 1991 production of ‘Capriccio’ at the
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (the exhibition will show a beautiful
evening dress made for Dame Kiri Te Kanawa) and the 1987 production
of ‘Salomé at La Scala Theatre, Milan.
Versace was an eclectic and highly
knowledgeable collector of art. A section is devoted to designs
which reflect his passion for historical artefacts and contemporary
art.
The ‘Ballroom’ area of
the exhibition will be dedicated to jewelled and embroidered couture
garments and classical evening wear, while further areas will
include the leather creations, tailoring and printed fabrics,
many of which will be exhibited on mannequins designed by Gianni
Versace himself. In the final section of the show visitors will
have the opportunity to handle many original examples of clothing
and fabric such as the metal mesh which Versace developed early
in his career.
Documentary film footage about
the life and career of Gianni Versace, one of the most colourful
and talented designers of the late 20th century, will also be
shown.
Today Versace, based in Milan,
remains one of the world’s leading fashion houses and is
still a family run business. Since 1997, Donatella Versace, Gianni’s
sister, has been Chief Designer and has carried the spirit of
the house of Versace into the 21st century. Under her direction,
it continues to receive wide critical acclaim as she creates her
own signature. The exhibition concludes with several dresses from
her recent collections including the Jungle Print dress worn by
Jennifer Lopez.
The V&A’s connections
to Gianni Versace date back to 1985 when the Museum hosted a study
day on the designer. Versace designs were also on show in the
dress gallery, the first Versace display in the UK.
Buy The Art and Craft of Gianni
Versace from Amazon.co.uk
or from Amazon.com.
A book, The Art and Craft of Gianni
Versace, will be published by V&A Publications. Edited by Claire
Wilcox and including contributions from Valerie Mendes and Chiara
Buss, price £24.95, it contains 200 colour illustrations with
a paperback cover opening out into a page size flap featuring a
colourful parade of images.
Quick Facts
Exhibition: Versace at the
V & A
Address: The Victoria
& Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London
SW7 2RL
Dates: 17th
October 2002 – 12th January 2003
Admission: Free to the V&A
- £7 for the exhibition Concessions £4.00 (includes
senior citizens and full-time students). Admission is free to
children under 18, disabled and up to two carers, ES40 holders,
V&A friends and patrons, NACF/ICOM/Museums Association cardholders.
Return
to Home Page
|
