Two FIDM Shows

I was lucky to be in LA last week when FIDM (The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) had two simultaneous shows running- The Art of Costume Television Design and Manmode- Dressing the Male Ego. I love that the museum now allows photography so I can share my experience with you.

The 10th Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design

This exhibit celebrates outstanding TV costuming from 2015 and 2016 in a variety of genres, including Primetime Emmy® Award nominees in Costume Design. And it did not disappoint!

I was especially excited to see the costumes from Outlander- well, one very specific outfit, anyway. This is the scene.

Yes, this one! I had heard an interview on NPR with the designer,  Terry Dresbach, as she described how this time travel story line required costumes from two different eras.  I had also seen a newspaper article that highlighted a couple of the ensembles. That is what led me to watch the show. And I don't even really like historical dramas. But there was something about this dress that was so alluring.

 

 
 

The shoes! And at 6.5, almost my size.

And who doesn't love a man in a kilt?

Beautifully embroidered coat worn by Master Raymond of the apothecary

Embroidery detail

Inspired by Christian Dior's "New Look", this suit bridged the 1940s with 18th Century Paris

And from the sublime to the ridiculous...have you ever watched Baskets on the FX Network? I just happen to love Zak Galifianakis. He plays a rodeo clown. And this is his costume.

What's not to love about embellished goldenrod overalls over Breton stripes?

The glitz and glamour of Empire

 

The simple materials of  Roots

I was surprised to find that the Outlander costume would not be my favorite. I know- can you  believe it? I fell in love with this amazing green bare shouldered gown worn by Lady Gaga portraying The Countess in American Horror Story: Hotel.






The beautiful emerald green, the single over-the-elbow glove, the asymmetry, the under skirt, the TURBAN! Amazing.


And while this stunning fuchsia gown was apparently the showstopper, and given better placement, it was the green that I loved the best.

I was unfamiliar with the futuristic series Defiance on the Syfy channel, but the beautifully crafted leather costumes really caught my eye.

The Downton Abbey frocks were pretty fabulous

And because I LOVE Transparent on Amazon, I'm including their collection

And here are a few photos from the smaller but still significant

Manmode- Dressing the Male Ego 

Presenting three centuries of menswear from the FIDM Museum collection.

Smoking jacket designed from cigar silks circa 1885. To me, it looks very contemporary and edgy.

At home ensemble from Victorian England. Most likely hand embroidered by the lady of the house.

Reversible jacket by Jean Paul Gaultier, circa 1994-95. On the correct outer side, the jacket can pass as typical business wear. Reversed, its normally hidden interior of fine tailoring techniques and multiple luxurious linings are deemed a perfectly suitable exterior.

Punk ensemble designed by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren 1976-1980. Unisex bondage suit with zippers and straps mimicking a straitjacket and a gauze and vinyl shirt with Queen Elizabeth II's portrait blinded and silenced by the anarchist "Sex Pistols" logo. (I have that tee shirt, by he way.)

Accessories including a mink bowtie, peek a boo tie and "Balls" cologne. Oh my!

Swimming ensemble circa 1940s

Similar shoes from 1895 and 2007

Shirt illustrations by Maurice Levin c. 1950

Killer collection of vintage ties from the 1940s and 1950s

Perhaps the most stunning garment in the show was this amazing caftan acquired by the one and only Rudi Gernreich during his travels to India in 1969.

The shows run through October 15, 2016 at the FIDM campus museum in downtown Los Angeles.