It's nearly that time of the year again. On May 8, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's rebranded Costume Institute will open another exciting display of gowns to the public. The newly established Anna Wintour Costume Center will kick off its first year with a massive exhibition on legendary American designer Charles James and his stunning couture gowns.
In fact, the collection of ball gowns is so large that "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" will be presented in both the Anna Wintour Costume Center as well as the first floor of the Met. As its name suggests, the exhibition presents viewers with a closer look at not only the designer's finished product but his design process too. Much more than just a designer, James approached his gowns "with a sculptor's eye and a scientist's logic," said Thomas P. Campbell, one of the directors of the Met.
Additionally, this year's Met Gala will also see all of its male attendees stepping onto the red carpet looking an awful lot like Rich Uncle Pennybags. (That's the little guy from Monopoly.) To honor James and to celebrate the rebranded institute, Wintour has established a change in the annual event's dress code. It requires all men to arrive at in a formal attire of "a black tailcoat, waistcoast, a wing-collared shirt, and white bow tie," which The New York Times so kindly broke down for those familiar only with black tie.
On view from May 8 to Aug. 10, 2014, "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" is something no fashion maven will want to miss.
[via TheMet]
