“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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Abby A.
February 25, 2021 at 5:18 pm
I cant wait to see the Fred Hampton film that he is
Mad Jim Jaspers
February 25, 2021 at 5:19 pm
Omg he would LOVE The White Knight run of Batman, where the Joker is the same one and Batman is losing it. Where the Joker shows Gotham what’s really going on.
Fortnite Help Videos
February 25, 2021 at 5:22 pm
Says he lies a lot but wants honesty out of both men and women !!! Funny
cocoreo89
February 25, 2021 at 7:04 pm
Lol I thought the same thing!!!
Naomm
February 25, 2021 at 5:25 pm
the first time i saw him act was as darius in atlanta and since then i’ve been hooked. he’s so talented and i just love him
frassut
February 25, 2021 at 5:30 pm
He mentioned Honesty a lot which shows how much significance he gives it.
Shae
February 25, 2021 at 5:31 pm
I love this man!!
the king of cool
February 25, 2021 at 5:35 pm
He’d be a perfect Joker
Drew
February 25, 2021 at 5:38 pm
Wishing only the best for Lakieth ????????
Drew
February 25, 2021 at 5:39 pm
Lakeith*
karan mehra
February 25, 2021 at 5:45 pm
I hope youre okay Lakeith ,You are a true artist .We need more people like you in yhis world.
Guido Anselmi
February 25, 2021 at 6:11 pm
“What is the most overrated virtue?”
“Skin tone”
What an amazing answer! Bravo.
Edward Alcala
February 25, 2021 at 6:11 pm
Discovered him in the movie get out. Love him in the show Atlanta
Monroe Clayton
February 25, 2021 at 6:14 pm
Bro said zoom ????????
Jasmine Reed
February 25, 2021 at 6:15 pm
I’m here for the vibes
Zyrah Scott
February 25, 2021 at 6:24 pm
I clicked so fast ????????????
Giorgia M
February 25, 2021 at 6:28 pm
He is so interesting. I’d love to see him on hot ones! I feel like he’d appreciate the well researched questions ????
The Life of Akina
February 25, 2021 at 6:30 pm
He’s so sweet. You can really see the depth of his mind even in his simplest answers. He speaks with intent and truth.
Charlene Carlies
February 25, 2021 at 6:37 pm
Wow this was great! Interesting questions that really make you dig deep!
Rashida
February 25, 2021 at 6:43 pm
I like this new style of questions. Kudos to whoever came up with this.
GRASSFED CHARLIE
February 25, 2021 at 6:55 pm
10:36 lol he is sooo fine
Julie Nguyen Yoga
February 25, 2021 at 7:04 pm
There’s something mysterious about him, yet he puts me at ease.
Also, the fact that he wants to come back after death as Zoom. I meannn.. why is that so heartwarming to me lol
madi W
February 25, 2021 at 7:08 pm
wonder how far in advance these are shot
Atilla
February 25, 2021 at 7:18 pm
I respect this man so much
Adam Raber
February 25, 2021 at 7:19 pm
His eyes are so emotional
03 AI
February 25, 2021 at 7:31 pm
He’s underrated.