“Fashion is very much an art form not in spite of the body, but because of it,” says Andrew Bolton, OBE, curator in charge of the Costume Institute. And this year’s exhibition, “Costume Art,” seeks not just to address this tantalizingly complex issue, but to explore it in all its many facets. The central thesis is as simple as it is thrilling: pair existing artworks with corresponding garments or accessories and let your synapses fire. The very layout of the show—broken into sections that move from Biblical nudity to the au courant idea of body diversity to the ways in which we’ve long used clothes not merely to adorn but to subvert and distort the body—indicates just how richly drawn this subject is and why it’s mesmerized artists since time immemorial.
Sinéad Burke, CEO of Tilting the Lens, emphasizes how this exhibit highlights bodies that have traditionally been overlooked, and as someone with a physical disability, she is among those featured. Her body has been memorialized in the exhibition as a custom mannequin, alongside model and musician Aariana Rose Philip, transforming their presence into a lasting part of the narrative around representation, fashion, and identity.
Additionally, this exhibition will be the first in the costume department’s new home, the Conde M. Nast Galleries. Once relegated to a modest 4,500-square-foot space in the museum’s basement, the department will now take flight in a grand, 12,000-square-foot display room on the ground floor, just off the central Great Hall. It is, says Max Hollein, the museum’s director, a symbol of how important clothing has become to The Met’s mission in exploring the many facets of art in the modern age. “We collect paintings, sculptures, textiles, arms and armor, but especially all the fashion,” he says. “And we want to make sure that it’s understood that fashion is a fantastic form of art.”
Featuring testimonials from Misty Copeland, Alex Consani, Gwendoline Christie, Aimee Mullins, Sinéad Burke, Aariana Rose Philip and more.
Director: Nina Ljeti
Directors of Photography: Michael Lopez, Henry Gill
Editor: Evan Allan
Senior Producer: Bety Dereje
Producer: Rashida Josiah
Associate Producers: Anisa Kennar, Justine Ramirez, Lea Donenberg
Camera Operator: Chanthila Phaophanit
Assistant Camera: Kahdeem Prosper Jefferson, Gordan Wong
Gaffers: Billy Voermann, Mary Kalecinska
Swing: Alex Frischman
Audio: Mariya Chulichkova, Joanna Hunt
Set Designers: Ilana Portney, Dana Keren
Production Assistants: Quinton Johnson, Myles Haywood
Runners: Edie Chesters, Rachel Ademidun
Groomer for Andrew Bolton: Shin Arima
Makeup Artist for Sinéad Burke and Alex Consani: Ai Yokomizo
Hairstylist for Sinéad Burke and Alex Consani: Sonny Molina
Makeup Artist for Misty Copeland: Victor Henao
Hairstylist for Misty Copeland: Nai’vasha Grace
Makeup Artist for Aariana Philip: Meadow Soleil Cloud
Makeup Artist for Gwendoline Christie: Daniel Kolaric
Hairstylist for Gwendoline Christie: Joe Kelly
Hair & Makeup Artist for Aimee Mullins: Stèfan Jemeel
Production Coordinator: Tanía Jones
Production Manager: Kristen Helmick
Senior Production Manager: Venita Singh-Warner
Line Producer: Natasha Soto-Albors
Assistant Editors: Andy Morell, Fynn Lithgow
Senior Motion Graphics Designer: Samuel Fuller
Post Production Coordinator: Holly Frew
Supervising Editor: Kameron Key
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Entertainment Director: Sergio Kletnoy
Global Talent Casting Directors: Ignacio Murillo, Morgan Senesi
Executive Producer: Rahel Gebreyes
Senior Director, Digital Video: Romy van den Broeke
Senior Director, Programming: Linda Gittleson
VP, Video Programming: Thespena Guatieri
Florist: London Blooming Haus
Photography By Paul Westlake
Images Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Special Thanks: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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@davidsmarrt4049
April 23, 2024 at 3:17 pm
She’s got such a great sense of humor and love ❤
@sonofmargit
April 23, 2024 at 3:18 pm
I love her sense of humor.
@LaparenthesebyAnna
April 23, 2024 at 3:19 pm
❤❤ Céline
@TheJOCHE1978
April 23, 2024 at 3:20 pm
Me encantó. Mucha gente cuando ve sus fotos con looks del pasado incluso se autocrítica y se avergüenza, no es el caso de Céline, se mostró muy agradecida consigo misma ????????????????
@jfcfanfic
April 23, 2024 at 3:20 pm
That ending was funny.
@afrodita1356
April 23, 2024 at 3:21 pm
I Love You, CELINE❤️????
@avlsoc
April 23, 2024 at 3:21 pm
I adore this woman!!!
@mahdialtaee7202
April 23, 2024 at 3:24 pm
She is a legendary singer with such Angelic voice
@dianariverjackson5123
April 23, 2024 at 3:25 pm
CELINE I LOVE YOU !
@pacofan
April 23, 2024 at 3:25 pm
I feel so glad to see her doing fine and having a great attitude as always ???? she deserves this fashion tribute since she serves great style all time
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April 23, 2024 at 3:27 pm
Phenomenal woman!!! ❤️❤️❤️
@cttwii
April 23, 2024 at 3:29 pm
❤❤❤❤❤❤
It stuns me every time how humble and gracious she is. Giving all the props to her stylists when she does have a great eye for fashion as well. Those early outfits were killer. Especially early 90s. We love you Celine. Welcome back and never stop having fun! ????????????❤❤❤❤
@leoxaid
April 23, 2024 at 3:33 pm
I wish that wonderful woman nothing but the very best ❤
@behnamamini-cu8fy
April 23, 2024 at 3:35 pm
My Queen is back ❤????
@LuizHenrique730
April 23, 2024 at 3:35 pm
You can see that she is doing pretty well despite her disease! I’m so happy for her ❤
@norarazaai
April 23, 2024 at 3:35 pm
love her sssso much!
@douglasdare175
April 23, 2024 at 3:37 pm
The single most iconic episode of Life in Looks, hands down.
@sameerahbutler3803
April 23, 2024 at 3:38 pm
Iconic
@BEASTPRINCE09
April 23, 2024 at 3:41 pm
“Anti Slippery” would be a great drag name
@fritzhelder
April 23, 2024 at 3:42 pm
what an amazing woman!
@johnpennell3387
April 23, 2024 at 3:46 pm
La voix du Québec. Je l’adore.
@diabmetry1574
April 23, 2024 at 3:47 pm
CELINEEEEE!!!!!
Love that I’m here at before 6am as one of the first commenters!
????????????
@christianviiperi
April 23, 2024 at 3:48 pm
This makes me so happy to see that she is doing so much better! ❤ Bless her.
@jackycierasmiciela
April 23, 2024 at 3:50 pm
LIVING ICON ????????????
@KaraMcnulty-nh6lx
April 23, 2024 at 3:52 pm
Just love Celine