Magazine

Andrew Bolton on “Manus x Machina” and Past Costume Institute Exhibitions

  • Manus x Machina Costume Institute Exhibit Metropolitan Museum of Art 2016
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    Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, May 2016
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    Gray Area

    Far right: Andrew Bolton, photographed in the museum’s Robert Lehman Wing. From far left: Prada silk-organdy dress, Fall 2011; Yohji Yamamoto cotton-muslin wedding dress, Spring 2000; Comme des Garçons cotton twill–and–canvas ensemble, Spring 2013; Chanel Haute Couture silk tulle–and–organza wedding ensemble, Fall 2005; Christian Dior Haute Couture silk taffeta–and–tulle dress, Fall 1949.

    _Grooming: Charlie Taylor

    Sittings Editor: Tonne Goodman_

  • Manus x Machina Costume Institute Exhibit Metropolitan Museum of Art 2016
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    Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, May 2016
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    Details Matter

    Bolton became fascinated by the idea that haute couture came into being during the same decade the modern sewing machine was perfected. On model Rianne Van Rompaey, Dior Haute Couture dress and shoes.

    Fashion Editor: Grace Coddington

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    Photo: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures
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    Personal Touch

    Bolton adjusts an Alexander McQueen dress in a scene from The First Monday in May, a new documentary by Andrew Rossi that chronicles the making of last year’s “China: Through the Looking Glass” exhibition.

  • punk chaos to couture Costume Institute Exhibit Metropolitan Museum of Art 2013
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    Photographed by Eric Boman
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    Glow in the Dark

    Dolce & Gabbana evening dresses from 2008 on display in “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” 2013.

  • alexander mcqueen savage beauty Costume Institute Exhibit Metropolitan Museum of Art 2011
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    Photographed by Eric Boman
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    On With the Show

    Ensembles embroidered with gold bullion and military braids from McQueen’s Fall 2001 and Fall 1994 collectsions, as seen in “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” 2011.

  • anglomania Costume Institute Exhibit Metropolitan Museum of Art 2006
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    Photographed by Robert Fairer
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    On With the Show

    A 1998 Christian Dior Haute Couture dress by John Galliano in a gallery from “AngloMania,” 2006.

  • Manus x Machina Costume Institute Exhibit Metropolitan Museum of Art 2016
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    Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, May 2016
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    Wedding Belle

    The pattern on the train was digitally generated and then embroidered by hand, which took 450 hours. A longer version—20 feet—will be a centerpiece of the new exhibition. Chanel Haute Couture dress and hat.

  • Manus x Machina Costume Institute Exhibit Metropolitan Museum of Art 2016
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    Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, May 2016
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    High Definition

    This dress’s cotton-sateen and nude nylon mesh were machine- and hand-embroidered with laser-cut plastic strips hand-printed with black lines. Iris van Herpen Couture dress. United Nude x Iris van Herpen shoes.

  • Manus x Machina Costume Institute Exhibit Metropolitan Museum of Art 2016
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    Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, May 2016
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    Back to the Future

    A Victorian silhouette features a white silk-elastene knit screen-printed with black geometric motifs transfer-printed with silver and black metal and acrylic discs and teardrops. Louis Vuitton dress and belt.

    _Hair: Guido for Redken; Makeup: Pat McGrath

    Set Design: Mary Howard; Produced by PRODn at Art + Commerce_

TopicsMetropolitan Museum Of ArtMet Gala 2026