Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversation

           

         From classic vintage pieces by Elsa Schiaparelli, to modern-day chic couture brought to you by Miuccia Prada, The Metropolitan (Met) Museum of Art was no ordinary museum but an expedition into the world of two fashion icons.

         The words Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversation were written in white letters plastered on a black wall, in the entrance of the Met's Spring 2012 Costume Institute exhibition.  Inspired by Miguel Covarrubias’s painting for Vogue Magazine in the 1930’s, Impossible Interview: Stalin Versus Schiaparelli, hung on the left side of the exhibit.

Greeted by a large video of Schiaparelli, played by Australian actress, Judy Davis and Prada, as herself sitting at a table discussing their perspectives of fashion. These designers are both from Italy, also referred to as the fashion capitol. However, these two Italian designers were born in different eras, whose sense of fashion inspired people from all over the world.

         There are seven themed displays of Schiaparelli and Prada’s designs paired right next to each other’s throughout the exhibit. “The contrast of these two designers makes it interesting,” said Deborah Audu, an American Express employee who anxiously waited two weeks to witness their innovative work.  The Met is the temporary home for 100 designs and 40 accessories (hats, shoes and Jewelry) by both fashion icons, Schiaparelli in the early 1920’s and Prada in the late 1950’s. 

         About a hundred people filled the tightly, intimate, dark rooms of the exhibition, but that was no comparison to last year’s fashion showcase of Alexander McQueen. The number of people was triple times that of Schiaparelli’s and Prada’s per hour, with lines wrapped around the entire museum from top to bottom.

         Although, the museum is a simple donation fee, Vogue Magazine helped funded this year’s costume institute exhibition, along with Amazon and Condé Nast.  “Every year the Met Museum of Art hosts a party of the year to kick off the spring’s fashion exhibit.” “Literally it’s one of the best parties of year in New York because so many celebrities and top fashion designers come out and only the supervisors are allowed to work the event,” said Met’s souvenir shop employee, Helale.

         The title, Impossible Conversation has many meanings maybe because it depicts two different fashion icons views on the true fashion sense of fashion or just literally the “Impossible Conversation” between the late Schiaparelli and Prada.

 This concept leaves the viewers with the decision to explore through the evolution of fashion until the August 19, 2012 when the exhibit ends.  

✌ ❤☺-Demeshia Jackson