If you are looking for somewhere to visit in Manchester, definitely consider the 'Unpicking
Couture' exhibition at the Manchester Art Gallery.
I visited recently and really enjoyed looking through the exquisite dresses and gowns on display from top designers such as Christobal Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Vivienne Westwood,
Alexander McQueen and more.
The exhibition is based in Gallery 13 and focuses on the link between fashion and emotions - how clothes have an influence on how the wearer feels and also on repair and restoration.
The former looking at the concept of dopamine dressing - something that definitely resonates
with me - wearing clothes and outfits that you love and feel amazing in will boost your
confidence and dopamine levels. Putting a spring in your step and making you feel happy,
generally boosting your mood for the day.
The latter reviewing the lifecycle of the clothes that we wear, encouraging us to value the pieces
we have in our wardrobe. Caring for them in the best way possible so that they last for years to
come and do justice to the skill, time and effort of those that made them.
I loved watching the video which is being played in the exhibition demonstrating the process
which is gone through to actually display these wonderful garments. Despite what I originally
thought, the dresses are not just 'plonked' onto the mannequins that you see them on. There is a very skilled and labour intensive process followed to mount each of the dresses.
The exhibition shows how a silk velvet jacket by Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1930s has recently
been restored. Motivation for reusing, repairing and preserving our own clothes, instead of
throwing them into landfill.
There is the opportunity to do some artwork of your own by sketching a garment in the middle of
the exhibition, sketching paper and pencils provided!
It was really interesting to see the half scale mannequin which showed the inner construction of a couture dress, never normally seen, demonstrating how it's built to support and structure the silhouette.
My favourites were the orange Versace 'harness' dress, made from cotton webbing and the
Jean Paul Guiltier black and gold corset dress. The pattern matching across the skirt front cowboy motifs is amazing!
Although smaller than I expected, the exhibition definitely delivered on impact. A whole lot of
inspiration for dressmakers and aspiring fashion designers.
Manchester Art Gallery is a few minutes walk from Manchester Piccadilly station and has a
lovely café for coffee and cake prior to, or after, the exhibition!
It's free to enter and runs until 12th January 2024.
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