Daphne Guinness

You may remember how I went to the Daphne Guinness exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Technology (aka my second home) last week. It was one of the best exhibits I've been to in a while. Not like I go to museums all that often. So basically it was just a darn good exhibit. It's so different to see designer's clothing in pictures than to see them in real life--it's so much more powerful. You can see the intricate beadwork and the perfect seams and all that fancy stuff that you can't fully appreciate in a photograph. That's why the pictures below are not going to do the clothing any justice, but maybe it will entice you enough to go see the pieces in real life. I'm going to go at least once more, maybe twice. It's also free (phr33), so there's no reason to not go.

Here's an excerpt from the the information page about the exhibit taken from FIT's website:

"While there have been many exhibitions devoted to great fashion designers, only a few have focused on individual women of style. Yet certain singular women play a crucial role in fashion.  Known as fashion or style icons, they are a special type of fashion insider, one who not only inspires designers and brings their clothes to life, but actually creates a look that affects the way other people dress and/or think about dressing. 

Daphne Guinness, one of today’s most original fashion icons, is the subject of the upcoming exhibition Daphne Guinness at The Museum at FIT. Opening on September 16, 2011 and on view through January 7, 2012, the exhibition will feature approximately 100 garments and accessories from Guinness’s personal collection, plus films, videos, and images, of and by her.

From her platinum-and-black striped hair to her towering 10-inch heels, from her to-die-for couture collection to her amazing jewelry, Daphne Guinness completely embodies the rarified personal style of a fashion icon. “She is one of the – if not the – most stylish women living,” says designer and film director Tom Ford. Her fans in the blogosphere describe her as “the ultimate fashion fantasy.”

Although Guinness has inspired some of the world’s greatest couturiers – from Karl Lagerfeld to Valentino – she says that she is “not a muse,” but more like “a bee” flitting from one designer to another. This is proven by the array of designers whose work will be on display. A close friend of the late Alexander McQueen, the exhibition will include more than two dozen McQueen garments which have never been displayed. Also featured will be extraordinary haute couture from Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Lacroix, and Valentino, as well as demi-couture by Azzedine Alaia, Dolce & Gabbana, and Rick Owens, and futuristic styles by young designers such as Gareth Pugh. Clothes that Guinness has designed herself will show her love of uniforms."

And below are a selection of photos from the exhibit: (Note: prepare to have your mind blown)

(Photos courtesy of New York Magazine and PopSugar)

Catsuit and cape by Alexander McQueen

Boots by Alexander McQueen

Coat by Christian Lacroix

Shoe by Alexander McQueen

Heel-less platforms by Nina Ricci

Ensembles from the "Dandyism" section of the exhibition

Ensembles from the "Exoticism" section of the exhibition (the kimono dress on the right is by Alexander McQueen for Givenchy)

Boots by Alexander McQueen

Dress by Christian Lacroix and jacket by Alexander McQueen

Dress and hooded coat by Gareth Pugh

If you are not in awe you are not human. Kidding.

It makes me feel a pang of regret for not getting to see the McQueen exhibit at the Met.

Just imagine how incredible these clothes are in person. Worth taking a trip to 27th Street and 7th Avenue for? I'd say yes. If you're in New York, do it. You won't regret it, I pwomise.

By the way, I saw Daniel Radcliffe in "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" last night on Broadway, and it didn't hit me that the man who represents my childhood was in the same room as me until he spoke British at the end. I almost died. Lola can testify.

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