What's Happening?
The Barbican's exhibition 'Dirty Looks: Desire and Decay in Fashion' showcases deliberately distressed and filthy fashion pieces. Featuring 120 objects from over 60 designers, the exhibition challenges traditional beauty ideals by using dirt, sweat, and stains to provoke thought about the sanitization of modern fashion. The exhibition includes standout pieces like a Vin + Omi dress made from horse hair and a Commes des Garçons bridal gown preserved in a glass box. The exhibition aims to explore the meticulous process of fakery in fashion and the cultural significance of dirt.
Why It's Important?
This exhibition at the Barbican highlights the evolving narrative in fashion that embraces imperfection and decay as a form of artistic expression. By challenging conventional beauty standards, it encourages a reevaluation of what constitutes luxury and fashion. The exhibition's focus on dirt and decay also critiques the sanitized nature of mass-produced fashion, offering a counter-narrative that values authenticity and lived experiences. This could influence future fashion trends and consumer perceptions, promoting a more inclusive and diverse understanding of beauty.
