The Museum des Art Décoratifs (MAD) in Paris is set to host an extraordinary new exhibition called ‘Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses’. The exhibition, which opens this week, will showcase the unique and visionary creations of fashion designer Iris van Herpen. Renowned for her avant-garde and technologically advanced designs, van Herpen uses unconventional materials such as Mylar, acrylic, silicon, and banana leaf fibers to create her haute couture pieces. The exhibition will run from November 29, 2023, to April 28, 2024, and offers a rare opportunity to experience van Herpen’s groundbreaking work.
Despite not being a household name, Iris van Herpen has made a significant impact on the fashion industry. At just 39 years old, she has achieved a retrospective at MAD, a wing of the Louvre, an accomplishment that is remarkable for such a young designer. Born in 1984 in Wamel, a small town in south Holland, van Herpen studied at an art college in Arnhem before gaining experience working for Alexander McQueen. In 2007, she opened her own fashion house in Amsterdam and has since gained recognition for her exceptional talent and innovative designs.
So why Paris for van Herpen? According to the designer, “Paris is the heart of couture. It is the history of couture and the future of couture.” With its rich heritage and influential position in the fashion industry, Paris provides the ideal platform for van Herpen to showcase her cutting-edge designs. Since joining the Paris Chambre Syndicale in 2011, van Herpen has captivated audiences with her captivating collections and shows in the fashion capital.
Van Herpen’s designs merge technology, 3D printing, chemistry, dance, and performance art to create bio-morphic creations that possess a life-like quality. Her garments appear as if they have independently enveloped the wearer, creating a unique and transformative experience. Unlike fast fashion, van Herpen’s couture pieces are rare and often reserved for concert stages, red carpets, and art movies. However, she also incorporates classical couture fabrics into her work, as demonstrated by a gown worn by Jennifer Lopez, which featured silk organza, duchess satin, and tulle.
For the ‘Sculpting the Senses’ exhibition, van Herpen draws inspiration from various sources, displaying multiple looks alongside the artists, life forms, and shells that influenced them. The exhibition also includes collaborative pieces, such as the gothic Robe Cathedral created in collaboration with Isäie Bloch, which later became part of the Groninger Museum’s collection. This stunning gown, made from printed 3D polyamide and copper, exemplifies the intersection between fashion and art in van Herpen’s work.
Is Iris van Herpen an artist or a fashion designer? She firmly believes that the two cannot be separated and considers her work to be both. In her eyes, fashion is a form of art that has the power to transcend and transform. Her designs focus on human metamorphosis, and she believes that both fashion and art have the ability to offer new perspectives and change the way one sees the world.
Make sure not to miss the ‘Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses’ exhibition at MAD, running from November 29, 2023, to April 28, 2024. It is a fantastic opportunity to witness the groundbreaking and visionary designs of Iris van Herpen and experience the fusion of fashion and art in her extraordinary creations.
Useful links:
– [MAD official website](https://www.madparis.fr/)
– [Iris van Herpen’s official website](https://www.irisvanherpen.com/)
