Manchester Art Gallery currently has an ‘Unpicking Couture’ fashion exhibition, is it worth it? Here’s my review.
First things first- The gallery is located in the city centre just by China Town, making it very easy to get to. The exhibition is free and you do not need to book beforehand. The Unpicking Couture exhibition will be open until January 2025. The exhibition features couture pieces from all of our beloved designers. Think Gianni Versace, Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, Azzedine Alaïa and Cristobal Balenciaga to name a few.
As someone who has been to a few different fashion exhibitions at museums and galleries, this one was presented in a unique way. Upon entering the room, you are greeted with a yellow Balenicaga gown with a lead to the conversation about how ‘every garment is a story’. But my favourite part of the beginning of the exhibition is the displayed ‘behind the scenes’ process of how the exhibition was planned and organised. This isn’t something I have witnessed at other exhibitions, but it was one of my favourite aspects of the entire display.
Behind you, you’ll see an incredible collection of dresses collected through the National Heritage Lottery Fund Collecting Cultures grant between 2015 and 2020. All of these garments are so incredibly made, you can almost feel the material through the glass. My absolute favourite piece in this section has to be the organ harness Gianni Versace moment from Autumn/Winter 1992. Just look at her. Stunning.
Another part of this exhibition which sets it apart from its cousins is that you are invited to sit down in the centre of the room and sketch one of the dresses on an easel. Whilst this is something we may see in children’s areas or just from the artistic souls who bring their sketchpad with them, it’s a lovely way to savour the moment and do something different.
The gallery is actually hosting a drawing event at the exhibition next week, where you can draw Celia Birtwell’s dress on display and have a chat about all things fashion with other visitors. You can find more information about the free ‘Stories we Wear’ event here.
The collection also features this insane Pierre Cardin white dress and coat from Summer 1994. I have never seen anything even remotely similar. The shapes, the textures, the shine. I can imagine Ariana Grande wearing this.
This is undoubtedly the most ethereal creation you will ever see.
Is this exhibition worth your time? Oh, absolutely. If you are a fashion lover who can get to Manchester Art Gallery, I think this exhibition will be a highlight for you. In fact, even if you’re not the biggest fashion lover, I still think this will impress you.
I think I may actually pop back in when I’m next walking past, maybe to have a little sketch myself. We should make the most of these wonderful opportunities we are presented with, especially if they do not come with a price tag.
K x