The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art is currently showcasing an extravagant exhibition dedicated to the theme of ‘camp’, a celebration of all things flashy, bold, and extravagant. Entitled ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’, this exhibit goes beyond the surface to delve into the intricate world of camp, characterized by its elements of irony, parody, artificiality, and exaggeration.
By stepping into the unconventional and unconventional side of the fashion world, the team of curators behind this exhibition has created a captivating narrative of camp. Drawing inspiration from historical figures such as dandies, drag queens, artists, and cultural icons, the exhibit is heavily influenced by Susan Sontag’s renowned essay “Notes on ‘Camp'”.
Supported by the prestigious Italian luxury brand Gucci and media giant Condé Nast, the showcase features a dazzling array of camp fashion, including designs by Gucci’s creative maestro Alessandro Michele and other influential designers like Elsa Schiaparelli, Yves Saint Laurent, Vivienne Westwood, and more.
This exhibition showcases the evolution of camp throughout history, emphasizing its profound cultural impact and its roots in the celebration of individual joy. Influential personalities like Pierpaolo Piccioli, creative director of Valentino, have commended camp for its emphasis on freedom and self-expression.
Following the immense success of the previous theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” in 2018, ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’ presents a more inclusive and intriguing perspective on the concept of camp. According to Andrew Bolton, head curator of the Costume Institute, camp is inherently political, drawing from its origins in queer culture and Victorian England.
The launch of the exhibition was celebrated at the 2019 Met Gala, where attendees embraced the camp theme with their avant-garde attire. Co-chairs such as Lady Gaga, Alessandro Michele, Harry Styles, Serena Williams, and Anna Wintour all showcased camp-inspired outfits in honor of the exhibition. ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’ is open to the public from May 9 to September 8, 2019, offering a one-of-a-kind and stimulating exploration of camp within the realm of fashion.
Don’t miss the chance to experience this extraordinary exhibition and uncover the fascinating world of camp in fashion at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
For more information and tickets, visit here.
To learn more about the history and impact of camp in fashion, check out this insightful article here.
