Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology Exhibit at the MET
It is always exhilarating when the MET has Fashion Exhibits. Currently the MET has the Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology exhibit up until September 5th 2016. If you want to see it, go soon as there is still a bit of time left of the exhibition. There is a fascinating two floors to explore, and sections including lacework, leatherwork, pleating, featherwork and much more! As the title suggests, the exhibit is centered around technologies like 3D printing and laser cutting, as well as advancement in fabric manipulation like pleating and using alternative materials while carefully exposing the fusion of hand work. The result is a series of breathtaking garments with spectacular details.
Here are some of my favorite and most interesting pieces in the exhibit:
Louis Vuitton Co.
Nicolas Ghesquiere
SS 2016 prêt-à-porter
Machine sewn white cotton poplin; machine-sewn , hand-appliqued overlay of ivory silk-synthetic net, bonded with laser-cut silver metallic strips, hand-airbrushed with black, dark brown, blue, and gray pigment, hard-grommented with copper metal
House of Givenchy
Hubert de Givenchy
1963, haute couture
Hand sewn red-orange cotton Mechlin-type lace hand-embroidered with red-orange beads, tinsel, and pieces of coral
Alexander McQueen
SS 2012, prêt-à-porter
Machine-and hand-sewn use silk lace bonded with laser-cut black patent leather sand sewn godets of nude silk tulle, hand appliquéd with nude silk lace motifs
Iris van Herpen
SS 2015, prêt-à-porter
Machine-sewn, laser-cut, bonded navy patent leather
Iris van Herpen
SS 2016, prêt-à-porter
Machine-sewn,bonded nude silk twill and cotton plain weave with overlay of nude cotton lace handwoven with laser cut nude leather applique
Comme des Garçons
Junya Watanabe
AW 2015/2016, prêt-à-porter
Machine sewn, heat-molded black polyester satin
Pierre Cardin
1968, haute couture
Machine sewn, heat-molded brown polyester Cardine (Dynel)
Nova Raviv
2014, prêt-à-porter
Top: black and white 3-D printed polymer by Stratasys, hand-sewn white synthetic tulle with adhesive appliqué of laser-cut black polyester twill weave
Skirt:machine-sewn black silk cotton faille, hand finished
Dress: black and white 3-D printed polymer Stratasys, hand-sewn white synthetic tulle with adhesive appliqué of laser-cut black polyester twill weave
Iris van Herpen
SS 2010, haute couture
Polyamide, acrylic, leather
Miyake Design Studio
Issey Miyake
SS 1990, prêt-à-porter
Machine-garment-pleated, machine-sewn yellow and red-purple polyester-linen plain weave
House of Dior
Christian Dior
SS 1947, haute couture
Machine-sewn beige tussah silk plain weave, hand-stitched bound buttonholes, hand-pad-stitched interlining
Hussein Chalayan
SS 2007, prêt-à-porter
Machine-sewn gray silk organza bodice; machine-sewn gray cotton-synthetic sateen tabs; aluminum plaques with hand glued Swarovski crystals; machine-molded plastic understructure, machine-sewn boned foundation threaded with monofilament wire, pulleys, and electronically controlled, geared motor components
Paco Rabanne
1967, haute couture
Machine-cut silver aluminum, hand-punched and linked with silver metal jump rings
Hussein Chalayan
SS 2014, demi-couture
Machine-sewn white silk organza and white silk compound weave, printed à la disposition with black and cream-pattern-drafting-paper motifs, hand-embroidered in black silk yarn with dot and cross motifs
Alexander McQueen
Sarah Burton
AW 2012/201, prêt-à-porter
Laser-cut white pony skin bonded to black leather, machine-sewn and hand-finished with Mongolian wool