Last week I finally had a day off from giving my tours and had a chance to go and see Back Side/ Fashion from Behind Exhibition at Musée Bourdelle. I wrote about it on my Eye Need to Do’s post earlier this month but had yet to see it.
I haven’t been to the Musée Bourdelle in a while and I forgot what a lovely oasis it is in this quiet area of the 15th arrondissement. Much like the Rodin Museum, the Musée Bourdelle has a collection of massive sculptures by Antoine Bourdelle, who lived in the same time period as Rodin and it also features a sculpture garden.
The Palais Galliera in the 16th arrondissement, a former palace, is now a fashion museum but is closed for renovations. While it’s closed for renovation, they install their exhibits in other museums.
Back Side/ Fashion from Behind Exhibition explores the often-overlooked body part, the back, in the fashion arena. Over 100 garments from the 1800s to current day are presented on white mannequins, each showing a different aspect of the delicate and sensuous backside. Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Elsa Schiaparelli, Azzedine Alaïa, Martin Margiela, Rik Owens and Olivier Theyskens are some of the designers participating in the exhibit. Rik Owens creamy beige sculpted evening gown is exquisitely draped with a dramatic overflowing train and another stunner is a Karl Lagerfeld 1920s Art-Deco inspired black gown with a rain pattern in diamond beading flowing down the back. The Roaring 20s come alive with a few flapper design dresses. There was also Japanese representation with low-back kimonos.
After the exhibition I strolled through the gardens with the soaring Bourdelle sculptures alongside fluffy white hydrangeas in full bloom.
Tomorrow I will post photos of the garden.
Until November 17, 2019
Musée Bourdelle
18 Rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015
Metro: Falguiere
http://www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/en/exhibitions/back-side/fashion-behind
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