About Time
By Maren Beverly
If you haven’t seen The Met Costume Institute’s current exhibit, About Time: Fashion and Duration, it’s about time you did. Usually, the annual Met Gala in May brings me more excitement than Christmas— which is saying a lot, seeing as though I used to wake my family up at the crack of dawn every year to open presents. (I’m sorry, Mom.) But in all seriousness, the event and the accompanying exhibit has always sparked joy. Those like me, fashion enthusiasts gazing wistfully and longingly at the fashion world from their phone screens, will understand this feeling. Which is why, for so many, the cancellation of the Met Gala this past May came as a massive disappointment.
When I heard that the exhibition was actually opening in October, I was elated. Finally, I would witness fashion greatness in real life. The proposition of being inches away from the infamous Alexander McQueen “Bumster” was enough to get me to mask up and make the two-hour trip to NYC.
I will admit that one of the (few) benefits of being from Connecticut is its proximity to New York City. Ask any Wake girl where they’re from, and 50% of them will give you an answer, “Oh, I’m from _____, it’s a small town in Connecticut, but it’s like 35 minutes from the city, so I consider myself to be from the city.” Just smile, nod, and don’t ask too many questions. But I will be the first to admit from this demographic that I’ve always felt some sort of soulmate-like connection to the Big Apple, the city where I was born. New York has always felt like the cool, young aunt you only get to see a few times per year. One who is always dressed to the nines and draped in dazzling jewelry.
“The proposition of being inches away from the infamous Alexander McQueen “Bumster” was enough to get me to mask up and make the two hour trip to NYC”
Therefore, the proposition of going into the city and seeing a fashion exhibit was the most exciting thing to happen all break— a break from my usual routine of driving around my suburbs with overpriced iced coffee. I’ll take any excuse to don a leather blazer and channel Diana Vreeland for a day.
Photo: Maren Beverly
The exhibit itself displays iconic fashion garments from 1870 to present day, on the 150th anniversary of the museum. The Met’s website explains that, “it explores how clothes generate temporal associations that conflate past, present, and future.” All the garments are black, in order to emphasize the silhouette and structure of the piece, highlighting the similarities. The only white piece is the final one, a white Viktor & Rolf dress, “made from upcycled swatches in a patchwork design,” serving as, “a symbol for the future of fashion with its emphasis on community, collaboration, and sustainability.” Not only were the clothing pieces on display stunning, but the gallery was just alluring and creative— a fashion “clock” followed by a room of mirrors.
Photo: Maren Beverly
While there is no substitute for seeing the exhibit in-person, here are some highlights, along with my personal favorites. Keep your eyes peeled for Dior’s iconic “The New Look” and YSL’s “Le Smoking.”
Photos: Maren Beverly
