Fashion & Interiors. A Gendered Affair.

In nineteenth-century domestic ideology, women played an important role as ‘beautifiers’ of themselves and their homes. With an eye on comfort, the lady of the house would decorate the interior with soft cushions and textures, drapes, handiwork and all manner of knickknacks. Her body, too, was weighed down with layers of fabric and passementerie with the result that she merged with her interior, almost to the point of disappearing altogether. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

This visual mergence was given substance by a number of discerning male creatives, including Henry van de Velde, who started designing women’s clothes. In their pursuit of harmony, they unified architecture, furniture, decor, clothing and accessories to create a total work of art.

Amber Valletta wearing a suit, photographed by Craig McDean for Interview Magazine, July 2014, Photo Craig McDean/Art+Commerce, model Amber Valletta, graphic design: Jelle JespersAmber Valletta wearing a suit, photographed by Craig McDean for Interview Magazine, July 2014, Photo Craig McDean/Art+Commerce, model Amber VallettaAlfred Stevens, The Visit, before 1869, oil on canvas, Dallas Museum of Art, gift of the Pauline Allen Gill Foundation, Image Courtesy Dallas Museum of Art

Chalayan, Autumn-Winter 2000-2001, Photo CatwalkpicturesMarine Serre, Autumn-Winter 2020-21, Photo: CatwalkpicturesGeorges Lepape, plate from the album Les Choses de Paul Poiret vues par Georges Lepape, 1911, © Diktats Bookstore

Modernist (interior)architects like Adolf Loos, Lilly Reich and Le Corbusier also had their opinions about fashion, which were consistent with their vision of design. They strove for functionality and were opposed to unnecessary ornament. ​ ​ ​ 

Contemporary creations by (among others) Maison Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, Raf Simons and Hussein Chalayan on display in the exhibition, serve as a cue to reflect on the historical correlation between interior and fashion.

With works/loans by 20Age Archive, Akanthos, Ann Demeulemeester, bel etage Gallery, BOTTER, Charliermuseum, Craig Green, Dallas Museum of Art, Design Museum Gent, Diktats Bookstore, Dirk Van Saene, Dominique Lelys, Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, Fondation Le Corbusier, Galerie Maxime Flatry, Galerie Yves Macaux, German Textile Museum Krefeld, HoGent, Hussein Chalayan, Isolde Pringiers, J. & L. Lobmeyr, Koninklijke Bibliotheek van België, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen, Kunstmuseen Krefeld, Lanvin, Leopold Museum, Maison Margiela, MAK – Museum of Applied Arts, Marcus Tomlinson, Marine Serre, Max Reynders, Mudam Luxembourg , Musée royal de Mariemont, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Raf Simons Collection, Richard Malone, Serax, The Mark Wallis Collection, Musée de Chelles Alfred-Bonno, Vitra Design Museum, Vlaams Architectuurinstituut, Von Parish Kostümbibliothek, Wien Museum,...

With the support of Van Den Weghe, Dedar & Vitra Partner Store Antwerp

Curator: Romy Cockx

PRACTICAL
​​Fashion & Interiors. A Gendered Affair.
​​from 29/03/2025 until 3/08/2025
​​at MoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp
​​More info momu.be