With fashion month in full swing, Singulart has compiled a list of the 10 must-see fashion exhibitions around the world this year. Fashion and art have long been intertwined, and we can learn a lot about society and culture from the way people dress. From the prestigious exhibit surrounding the 150th anniversary of the Met, to major retrospectives of luxury fashion houses like Dior and Prada, discover the highly anticipated fashions exhibits of 2020.
About Time: Fashion and Duration
To coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, About Time: Fashion and Duration will showcase 150 years of fashion history from 1870 to present day in an innovative way. Virginia Woolf is the “ghost narrator” of the exhibition, giving visitors a window into the fast paced rhythm of fashion. The exhibit juxtaposes outfits from various time periods alongside each other and looks towards the future of fashion, raising questions about sustainability.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York | May 7-September 7, 2020
Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk
The history of the kimono originates in Japan in the 17th century, and its influence has since been spread all over the world through various fashion interpretations. The Victoria & Albert Museum in London traces the history of the kimono from its inception to modern day, revealing its aesthetic significance and presence as a constantly evolving fashion icon.
Victoria & Albert Museum, London | February 29-June 21, 2020
Ballerina: Fashion’s Modern Muse
The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York has opened an exhibition that traces the history of ballet and its influence on high fashion. By looking at the popularization of the art form, the exhibition explores how ballet took its place in high culture and started to inspire many designers. Among the 80 objects on view, there are garments ranging from British custom-made clothing and American ready-to-wear to Parisian couture.
The Museum at FIT, New York | February 11-April 18, 2020
Peter Lindbergh: Untold Stories
For fans of fashion photography, the MK&G Museum in Hamburg is putting on an exhibition of 140 works from Peter Lindbergh dating from the 1980s up until now. Before his death in 2019, Lindbergh spent two years working on his Untold Stories collection, pushing past the boundaries of fashion photography. When he was creating the collection, he said: “The exhibition gave me the opportunity to think in more detail about my photos in a context other than fashion. The aim is to open up the photos for other readings and perspectives.”
MK&G, Hamburg, Germany | June 20-November 1, 2020
Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Borrowing items from the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico, the de Young Museum in San Francisco will present a view of the iconic artist through the way she presented herself. Pieces of her wardrobe and accessories will be on display to explore how Kahlo expressed her identity and how various politics effected her creativity and aesthetic.
de Young Museum, San Francisco, California, USA | March 21-July 26, 2020
My 1950s – Women. Fashion. Everyday Life.
If you’re a fan of 1950s style, make sure to check out the exhibition at Nordiska Museet in Stockholm running until the end of the year. With haute couture, everyday wear, and accessories on display, the museum presents these objects alongside questions that interrogate the social ideals and lifestyle of the time period.
Nordiska Museet, Stolkholm | Until December 31, 2020
Beautiful People: The Boutique in 1960s Counterculture
For fans of 60s style, discover the new exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London entitled Beautiful People: The Boutique in 1960s Counterculture. The exhibition explores the flamboyant designs inspired by romantic ideas of the past that blurred gender boundaries and served as the aesthetic for the free spirit. Clothing worn by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix will also be on display.
Fashion and Textile Museum, London, England | July 3-October 4, 2020
Prada: Front and Back
The Prada: Front and Back show is the first major museum exhibition of the iconic fashion house. Museum-goers can discover the history of Prada through their creative approach, collaborations, and influences. Get an inside look at the luxury brand and how they exemplify modernity.
Design Museum, London, England | Opening in September 2020
Dior
Christian Dior has had museum shows of his work in Paris, London, and now The Hague. Between 1947 and 1957, Dior created his luxury fashion house, showing 22 collections before his sudden death in 1957. The exhibition focuses on this time period and his work, as well as the creations of his successors. Discover what fashion journalists called the ‘New Look’ of the mid 20th century.
Kunstmuseum, The Hague, Netherlands | September 26-February 28 2021.
Christian Louboutin, Exhibition[niste]
Christian Louboutin, Palais de la Porte Dorée © José Castellar 
© Christian Louboutin
The internationally renowned shoe designer Christian Louboutin will have his personal collection on display in Paris where viewers can get a glimpse into his striking aesthetic and diverse inspirations. Various collaborations will be shown, some exclusive and never before seen, to showcase the work of one of contemporary fashion’s leading figures.
Palais de la Porte Dorée, Paris, France | February 26-July 26, 2020
