Exploring the Gendered Elements in Fashion and Home Design: MoMu's Discusion Unveils Domestic Space Hierarchy
A Century of Total Art: Fashion & Interiors Exhibition at MoMu
A new exhibition, 'Fashion & Interiors: A Gendered Affair', is set to open at MoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp on 3rd March 2023, running until 3rd August 2025. Curated by Romy Cockx, the show explores shifting tastes, styles, and attitudes across a century, with a focus on the concept of a complete work of art.
The idea of a total creation, or Gesamtkunstwerk, originated over a century ago with the architect Josef Hoffmann and the Wiener Werkstätte. This concept, popularised by the German composer Richard Wagner, envisioned a fusion of multiple art forms, creating a complete, immersive experience. Wagner's influence extended into fashion and interior design, inspiring designers with richly decorated costumes and elaborate theatrical attire, as well as melding architecture, decorative arts, and furnishings as part of a cohesive artistic environment.
One of the key figures in developing this concept was Lily Reich, a woman who was the first to be elected to the board of the Deutscher Werkbund in 1920. Reich, who had an atelier in Berlin and started with embroidery before working with Josef Hoffmann, collaborated with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe around 1926. It is likely that Reich conceived the iconic 'Barcelona' day bed, though it is often accredited solely to Van der Rohe.
The exhibition also features the work of Martin Margiela, who has recreated his first studio and shop interior for the show. Belgian fashion designers Ann Demeulemeester and Raf Simons are also represented, with collections and dwellings that embody the concept of a total work of art. The show also includes three pieces of 'furniture accessory' conceived by Simons for his graduate show in 1991.
'Fashion & Interiors: A Gendered Affair' delves into the importance of authorship in design, exploring the role of creative coercion on personal choices in fashion and interior design. The exhibition presents questions about the influence of historical figures like Wagner, Hoffmann, and Reich, as well as contemporary designers like Margiela, Demeulemeester, and Simons, on the evolution of fashion and interiors.
Van de Velde and his wife Maria Sèthe designed the entire environment of Villa Bloemenwerf, including cutlery, furniture, carpets, and chairs, demonstrating the integration of art forms that defines the Gesamtkunstwerk concept. This exhibition promises to be a fascinating exploration of the interplay between fashion and interiors, and the enduring influence of the total work of art.
This exhibition, 'Fashion & Interiors: A Gendered Affair,' at MoMu delves into various art forms, including fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden, showcasing the evolution of styles across a century through a complete work of art concept. The exhibit features Martin Margiela's recreated studio interior, Belgian fashion designers Ann Demeulemeester and Raf Simons' collections, and design pieces that embody the total lifestyle.