Paris has arrived in Adelaide and LML Sarah and I couldn’t be more excited about attending the invite-only preview of Fashion Icons: Masterpieces from the Collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Normally renowned for its gourmet food and wine (which we also enjoyed plenty of – read about it here), this glamorous new exhibition has Adelaide saying, “Oui, oui” and making a name for itself as a fashion favourite.
On a sunny SA afternoon we enter the Gallery, which is brimming with garments created by some of the world’s leading fashion designers. We are first greeted by Christian Dior’s ‘Adelaide’ dress, and she is stunning! We are then taken on a catwalk through the ages, with garments on display dating back to Dior’s 1947 revival of haute couture. In the background are videos of the catwalks the garments were worn on and images of the original models. Surrounded by so much Parisienne style, I can almost feel the breeze from the Seine and taste the champagne and escargot.
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As we travel through the decades and watch the evolution of high-end fashion through to the current day, we’re presented with over 90 stunning garments, including designs from Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, Valentino, and Alexander McQueen. It’s impossible to pick just one favourite, but my highlights include the Rolling Stones’ signature suit, Lady Gaga’s metal corset dress, and one of the world’s most expensive dresses by Chanel (ooh-la-la)!
Dolce & Gabbana, Spring-Summer 2007 from the collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. Photo: Jean Tholance – Les Arts Décoratifs
For the grand finale we get to strut our own stuff down a copy of a real Chanel runway. Don’t forget to take a #runway selfie with Anna Wintour when it’s your turn!
If you love fashion and the finer things in life (let’s face it, who doesn’t?!), make room between shirazs for this event during your SA summer getaway. As well as the exhibition itself, there are many other events and workshops on in the coming months. Check them out at the Art Gallery of South Australia from now until 15 February 2015.
Read more about Adelaide here.