Vitra Design Museum

Fashion shows are the magical moments in fashion industry – they are marketing machines and social events, deeply poetic and highly commercialized at the same time. Their images spread across the globe in real time, shaping our cultural memory. Following ever-changing concepts and narratives, they unite stage design, performance, clothing, light, and sound into a temporary Gesamtkunstwerk, a total work of art. The exhibition »Catwalk: The Art of the Fashion Show« explores the fascinating evolution of the fashion show and offers a look behind the scenes: from its beginnings in couturiers’ salons around 1900 to the spectacular events of the twenty-first century; from haute couture to prêt-à-porter; from the era of supermodels to the celebration of diversity; from classic catwalk photography to the virtual fashion show. Through film and photo footage, original runway pieces, invitations, and stage props, the exhibition brings groundbreaking fashion shows back to life – including shows by Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chanel, Comme des Garçons, Dior, Gucci, Helmut Lang, Hussein Chalayan, Martin Margiela, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, and many more.

Image: Chanel, Fashion Show, Spring-Summer 2015 Ready-to-Wear, Paris © Helmut Fricke