Last month I was in need of some serious inspiration, so I made my way over to the Carnegie Museum of Art. It’s one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh and I can always count on a creativity pick-me-up when I’m there. This time I was there to see a specific exhibit:
Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion
Van Herpen is a Dutch fashion designer known for merging the conventional techniques in fashion design with modern technologies, like 3D printing. Her creations resemble works in sculpture inspired by science and technology.
Guests got an up close look at multiple pieces from 15 of van Herpen’s collections, showing the full range of her work. It was a rare opportunity to see these designs so closely and it stimulated the brain on many levels. Each collection had information about her inspirations and there was also an area where you could actually touch fabrics or materials she used in the designs. This gave a full sensory experience to the viewer. This type of exhibit was exactly what I needed to get my brain back on track and my creative gears moving!
A few events materialized from van Herpen’s exhibit including Third Thursday: A Celebration of Iris van Herpen at CMOA, which celebrated the opening of the exhibit! It was a night filled with beauty, fashion and dancing. Hot Mass provided the entertainment and guests also enjoyed a cool Lip Bar with Winky Lux lipsticks and glosses. Another event inspired by van Herpen’s work was the Material Worlds Fashion Show at the Ace Hotel Pittsburgh. This fashion show brought together local Pittsburgh artists including Atticus Adams, Lea Albaugh, Richard Chou + Chengcheng Zhao, Julianne D'Errico, Memphis George, Zain Islam-Hashmi + Brandon Dareff, Stephanie Moye, Rachel Muse, Sarah Jane Sindler, and So-Hee Woo. Each artist showcased two designs both inspired by van Herpen’s techniques or use of alternative materials. Guests could definitely see how each designer channeled van Herpen while creating their looks. It was amazing! Check out photos from these two events in Social Butterfly Magazine Seasonably Social: Spring 2017 - Third Thursday: A Celebration of Iris van Herpen, Material Worlds Fashion Show.
Van Herpen’s exhibit is definitly a must-see if you haven’t already and the final day to visit is May 1st. Evening guided tours end April 27th and afternoon guided tours end April 30th. Also, check out Haute Wired at the CMOA on April 28th at 6 PM to enjoy cocktails and entertainment by Tank and the Bangas while visiting the van Herpen exhibit!
Hope you all take some time out this week/weekend to see the Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion exhibit at CMOA. If you have already been to the exhibit, tell me about your experience in the comments! Until next time!