Must see: closing soon!

What: The Krystyna Campbell-Pretty Gift fashion exhibition
When: 1st March to 14th July 2019, 10pm to 5pm daily
Where: National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Rd Melbourne
Free! see the NGV site for more information.

Ever since my visit to see this incredible exhibition, I’ve been telling everyone to see it too. It’s quite possibly the best comprehensive collection of significant international couture from 1890 to today. It’s like a wishlist of what you would buy if you had sufficient taste, resources and nous: major works by designers at the height of their powers.

Particularly strong in the early designs with several good examples from the House of Worth, Paquin and Doucet, it does not disappoint as you progress through the 20th century with Chanel, Dior, Schiaparelli, Balenciaga…up to contemporary with Alexander McQueen and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. As Edie Monsoon might say “names, sweetie, names!”

To their credit, the NGV have staged this exhibition splendidly: each era has a differently themed room and the garments are displayed with appropriate (and authentic) accessories and surrounded by art and sculpture. I really like the accessories, especially the 1920s and 1930s shoes.

Great thought has been given to the ability to view the garments from different angles and the spaces are spacious.

The text panels are detailed and informative but as is often the way, written in small font and positioned close to the ground. The difficulty in viewing them meant that I took photos so I could enlarge them. This is standard practice for museums and galleries but I rather wish they were more accessible.

To be honest, I found myself quite overwhelmed with the fabulousness of it all and had to sit down with the proverbial cup of tea. It was intense. Which means of course that I must go back before it closes on Sunday week.

Here are some iphone pics for you.