Glamour of the Gods: Hollywood Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery, London 7 July – 23 October 2011 A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at stars and celebrity glamour before paparazzi, before Photoshop (but not without retouching!) in 1920-1960, Hollywood’s golden age. Before the concept of paparazzi, fans and the press had to wait for the latest [...]

Inspiration Dior at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, through July 24 The French couturier’s grand and exuberant creations are right at home in the sumptuous museum housing Moscow’s largest collection of European art in a wide-ranging, sprawling show featuring video, photographs (including Richard Avedon’s famed “Dovima With Elephants”), contemporary art installations, fashion drawings, an exhibit [...]

‘Essential Accessories: Handbags and Heels’ at The Lightbox museum in Surrey The exhibit spans the 16th century until today, and we’re treated to a look at just how little has changed! Accessories have always been indicators of the wearer’s wealth, taste, social status…   Leather handbag with enamel cover, France, c1915, ‘Camata’ Manolo Blahnik, 2000-2001, [...]

Madame Grès: Couture at Work at the Musée Bourdelle in Paris, through July 24. “I wanted to be a sculptor — for me it is just the same to work with fabric or stone.” – Madame Grès The show is comprised of 80 couture pieces, including creations for the Duchess of Orleans and the Duchess [...]

Yohji Yamamoto at the V&A: celebrating the designer’s 30th year in Paris. After meticulously sorting through the Yohji Yamamoto archives in Tokyo and Paris, the V&A presents a non-traditional retrospective of the legendary and quietly influential Japanese designer. The show of over 80 women’s and menswear pieces is his first major show in the United [...]