Between the intense winter weather, loads of web design work and being sick twice, I just got a chance to make it to the American Folk Art Museum for a guided tour of their Folk Couture exhibit this weekend. This was my first visit to the museum and it is a small space which I am sure can present a curating challenge. But I walked in optimistic and left with a warm sense of fulfillment.
For the show, the museum worked with a handful or fashion designers whom they gave access to their warehouse (now THAT must have been fun!) to find pieces of the AFAM collection to inspire them to create original designs. On display, you will find both the inspiring piece as well as the designer’s final product. So there was this impeccable stuffwork quilt from 1796 next to this gorgeous ensemble by Fabio Costa. And a turn-of-the-century papercut heavy with symbolism was what influenced Catherine Malandrino to make her handmade crochet lace dress.
Folk Couture is on view until April 4th here in NYC and rumor has it that it will travel. So, if you are a textile/fashion fan such as myself and you have the opportunity, be sure to catch it.
Jacquard engineered coatdress by Gary Graham
stuffwork ensemble by Fabio Costa
handmade crochet lace dress by Catherine Malandrino
patent leather laser cut dress by threeASFOUR