Heavenly Bodies Exhibit

Last week I made a quick trip to New York to see the Met’s Heavenly Bodies show before it closed.
A fantastic show about Christian iconography in fashion. So many beautiful examples! Everything from the Vatican to Versace.
A huge show, it was spread between the main museum and the Cloisters.
The coolest part, it was all displayed in the museum’s Byzantium and Medieval galleries.
The juxtaposition was fantastic.

There were so many variations of inspiration,
Thierry Mugler’s beautiful angel,

A whole room of Dolce and Gabbana’s mosaic inspired beaded pieces.
All in a row, high above our heads.

A cropped picture, for a closer look.

In front of Thierry Mugler’s gown, Christian Lacroix’s bride.

And a demure Valentino [at least I’m pretty sure it’s Valentino, I took no notes!] perfectly displayed in front of a gorgeous tapestry.

And in the galleries below, pieces from the Vatican.
Intricate embroideries.

And jeweled papal tiaras.

My favorite part of the show? The exhibit at the Cloisters.
Set in beautiful Fort Tryon Park, the Cloisters was built in 1938 from parts of various medieval buildings to hold the museum’s collection of 12th-15th century art.

The intimate space lent itself perfectly to the gorgeous clothes.

Many of the garments were in glass boxes, easy to see through but difficult to photograph.
This Victor and Rolf piece was covered in iridescent crystal beads.

The light, the old stones, the sculptures, everything perfectly conceived. It all fit together exactly.

The quiet architecture enhanced so many of the pieces.
This Calvin Klein wedding dress took on a seriousness that I might not have noticed otherwise.

Philip Tracy hats looking right at home in front of this carved wooden alter.

I had seen so many pictures of this Balenciaga wedding gown, but still, in person, so quiet, so perfect. Stunning.

Wow and wow. An amazing show. I am so happy I got to see it.