The curators of FIT put both the Commes des Garcons, ensemble from Spring 2015 and the Cape from 18th century England next to each other to illustrate how fashion is an ode to the past, but expand on historical garments to create new contexts and meanings. In the 18th Century, this cape was used to keep warm and to protect clothing from the weather. Due to the brightness of hue and silhouette, the observer can understand that this cape was once owned by someone of nobility due to the details of ruffles and a bow. Although we do not know who once wore this cape there are so many connotations related to color and silhouette, but to combine them we find even more meaning. This combination of capes was shown in the 2016 FIT “Fairytale Fashion” exhibition illustrating how fairytales influence how we view fashion and how silhouettes of garments become “iconic” due to the connotations of folk and fairy tales. Due to the silhouette, bright red hue, and the fact that they are capes they would be associated with the fairytale of Little Red Riding Hood even though they have nothing to do with this fairytale and happen to be both red and both capes. Through themes and curatorial setting, Curators can change the viewer’s initials feel and reaction to fashion molding it into the themes of the exhibition. Although it allows the viewer to understand more about an interesting theme or though within fashion it takes away the historical and design meaning of each garment. When viewing the Commes des Garcons, ensemble from Spring 2015 with the Cape from 18th century England with in the theme of “Fairytale Fashion” the context is completely changed. When viewing the Spring 2015 Commes des Garcons show many could describe it as ”almost entirely drenched in startling blood red – any white that featured was splashed with violent paint strokes. It was a fable, horror movie, period drama and anatomy lesson rolled into one. Models wore Marie Antoinette-esque blonde frizzed hair and scarlet lips, and the ‘clothes’ were so grand, so epic even, that they recalled courtiers’ garments from the 18th century.” ( ELLE MAG) This understanding of the collection from the curation of models, makeup, music, and setting completely changes the context of Red Cape shown above, not only is it more grotesque but also mysterious and mature. For FIT, they should not be trying to hide designer’s true intetionshiongs behind an idea of curation, but show the designers vision proudly because it not only allows more depth of meaning behind the fairytale associated with it little Red Riding hood.
https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/news/a23166/paris-fashion-week-show-review-comme-des-garcons-spring-summer-2015/
