MELBOURNE: A new exhibition featuring menswear from the 18th century to the present day will launch in March 2011.
Themed ManStyle, the showcase will be held at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and will feature 80 works. Paintings exploring influential ideas in menswear from the last three centuries will also be on show.
Key themes explored will be the trend towards ‘dandy’ attire in the 19th century, where tailoring was prime. More recent designs by Hedi Slimane for Dior Homme, Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier and Romance Was Born will be in the mix.
NGV International Fashion and Textiles curator Roger Leong said men’s fashion is often viewed as bound by tradition, yet it has in fact undergone a number of profound changes. These reflect shifting attitudes to class, sexuality, work and leisure.
“From the beginnings of the modern suit in the 18th century to 20th century sportswear, sub-cultural attire and street wear, men’s fashion has continued to transform in style and function to the present day,” he said.
Divided into two spaces, ManStyle will be held at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square from March 11 until November 27, 2011. The second space will be the NGV International, running from March 11 until October 30, 2011.
MANSTYLE: 'Seditionaries' and 'Sex' designed by Malcom McLaren and Vivienne Westwood.
