NGV Melbourne Launches Virtual Tour of Rei Kawakubo's Radical Designs

The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne is one of several Australian museums that have closed its doors as the novel coronavirus spreads. With a slated reopening for April 13, the institution still wants to incite visitorship in the form of virtual tours. One of the digitally-translated presentations is the “Collecting Comme” survey on iconic Japanese fashion designer, Rei Kawakubo.

With donations from collector Takamasa Takahashi, the sprawling exhibition features 65 outfits from the COMME des GARÇONS helm, gleaned from over 40 collections. Many of the ensembles presented were the first to include raw hems, holes and more unconventional trappings. Additionally, 13 works designed by Kawakubo’s protégés Junya Watanabe and Tao Kurihara are also featured in the exhibit.

Since Kawakubo’s first show in 1981, the designer continues to subvert fashion norms with her bold designs that are heavily inspired by punk elements. Throughout her career, Kawakubo challenged gender-based clothing through her experimentation of silhouettes, fabrics, and garment functions.”I would like for people to look at Kawakubo’s work with an open mind: to question what they are looking at and consider the story behind the creation of the garment,” said Mr. Takahashi in a statement.

Take the virtual tour of “Collecting Comme” here.

Elsewhere in art, Kara Walker showcases Barack Obama in allegorical works on paper as part of her latest “Drawings” exhibition in NYC.

National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda Road
Melbourne 3006
Australia