Major exhibition Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk to open at V&A Dundee
Pictured: Model Sally Pritchett wearing an antique kimono at V&A Dundee ahead of the opening of new exhibition Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk on Saturday 4 May. Photo Laura Prieto Martin. Styling Mamiko Sato.
The fascinating story of the style, appeal and influence of the kimono is explored in a major exhibition opening at V&A Dundee on Saturday 4 May.
Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk presents the kimono as a dynamic, ever-evolving icon of fashion, tracing the influence of the kimono from 17th century Japan to present-day cutting-edge couture and street fashion across the world.
In Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, rare 17th and 18th century kimono are displayed alongside modern designs from Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Alexander McQueen. The kimono’s recent reinvention on the streets of Japan is also explored through work by a new wave of contemporary designers and stylists.
The beauty and significance of the kimono, meaning simply ‘the thing to wear’, is celebrated with an extraordinary collection of around 300 garments, accessories, paintings, prints, photographs and film clips from the V&A and collections around the world. This is the final opportunity to see these rare works together on the last stop of the Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk international tour.
Arguably the ultimate symbol of Japan, the kimono is revered within the country as the embodiment of national culture and internationally regarded with fascination. This symbolic status, and the fact that its basic form has remained consistent over the centuries, means that that the kimono is often viewed as a simple, timeless garment. Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk counters that conception, revealing how the kimono has always been a dynamic item of fashionable dress that has been restyled consistently throughout its history, influencing modern fashion and popular culture, from evening wear and festival fashion, to rock stars and Star Wars.
Anna Jackson, curator of Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk said, “From the sophisticated culture of 17th century Kyoto to the creativity of the contemporary catwalk, the kimono is unique in its aesthetic importance and cultural impact giving it a fascinating place within the story of fashion.”
Kirsty Hassard, V&A Dundee curator, said, “Visitors will be able to enjoy a completely unique experience when they come to see Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk in the Japanese-inspired architecture of V&A Dundee. We can’t wait to open this exquisite exhibition which places kimono at the heart of an enthralling story of global fashion and cultural exchange.”
Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk opens Saturday 4 May 2024 until 5 January 2025 at V&A Dundee. Tickets £7 to £15. £2 discount when booking online. Members and 18s and under go free. https://vam.ac.uk/dundee/whatson/exhibitions/kimono