A noticeable cloud has fallen over Manhattan. Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, the critically-acclaimed and commercially record-breaking retrospective on the late designer, hath closed. What to do?! Where to go?! Why go on?! But before you stab yourself in the face with an armadillo heel, check out these five fashion-related museum exhibits in and around New York. Sure, it may not fill the McQueen-sized hole in your heart, but at least you'll have the memories of the Met. Unless you missed the exhibit, in which case just end your misery now.
NEW YORK
The Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Ave. (thru September 4th)
"This exhibition will explore the evolution of fashionable clothing in Northern Europefrom the fashion revolution of the early fourteenth century to the dawn of the Renaissance. Drawn from the Morgan's collections, over fifty illuminated medieval and Renaissance manuscripts and early printed books are featured."'
The Museum at FIT, Seventh Avenue at 27 Street (thru Nov.5th 2011)
Explores the "relationship between sportswear and fashion from the mid-19th century through the present. Featuring more than 100 garments, accessories, and textiles from the Museums permanent collection, the exhibition is organized thematically around styles associated with sailing, swimming, golfing, skating, motoring, and other sporting activities."
"Why do an exhibition on Daphne Guinness? Because she is fearless about wearing the most extreme clothes and shoes, but is no mere clothes horse. Because she is a serious collector of couture, who is also a creative force in her own right. Because she is an extraordinary individual whose perspective on fashion is unique and important."
EVERYWHERE ELSE
Fraenkel Gallery 49 Geary St # 450, San Francisco, CA (thru Aug. 20)
Nearly 30 photographs spanning six decades of Penn's brilliant career explore the photog's "radical and long-standing investigation into what constitutes beauty."
Bourdelle Museum, 16 rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015 Paris, France (thru Aug. 28)
The first Paris retrospective dedicated to Madame Grès, "a true mistress of couture who was considered a genius by her peers" and influenced the history of fashion.
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, 5601 Main Street, Houston, TX (thru Sept 25)
"Featuring the entire contents from Helmut Newton´s first three groundbreaking books:White Women (1976), Sleepless Nights (1978), and Big Nudes (1981). The 205 photographs in these books established Newton´s reputation as the supreme recorder of female identity, and as a master craftsman of the photographic medium. A complete set of the prints in the exhibition has been acquired by the MFAH."
The History Center, 401 E. State Street, Suite 100, Ithaca, NY (thru Sept.)
Dives into the once taboo subject of "unmentionables" with a look at undergarments from the 1700s to the present day.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts 1379 Sherbrooke St West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (thru Oct. 2)
Featuring 130 pieces culled from more than 150 of Gauliters collections, starting from his first in 1976, the exhibit also includes clothes Gaultier made for films and even
Madonna s iconic cone bra.
Les Arts Décoratifs, 107, rue de Rivoli 75001, Paris, France (thru Nov. 13)
Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC (thru Dec. 31)
"A selection of the iconic tailored two-piece suits, evening wear including the quintessential little black dress and fashion accessories that include eyewear, footwear, jewelry, handbags and the perfume Chanel No. 5 will comprise the exhibit. The vintage Chanel will mainly come from the 1960's and 70's along with some rare couture from the 1920's and 1930's."
