13 fashion exhibitions to visit in summer 2022

Looking for cultural entertainment across the border or in your own country? FashionUnited lists the most beautiful fashion-oriented exhibitions at home and abroad.

'A history of fashion' at Palais Galliera, in Paris, France

In Palais Galliera, also known as the Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, the new gallery spaces on the terrace side of the museum are a must. An exhibition about fashion history has just been opened there called 'A history of fashion'. Here the history of the fashion museum and its impressive archives are portrayed. From fabrics in the 1920s to baroque prints and eighteenth-century hoop dresses to ruffles by Comme des Garçons, a Paris-based Japanese fashion label.

'A history of fashion' can be seen until June 26 at Palais Galliera, in Paris.

'Love brings love’ at Palais Galliera in Paris, France

‘Love brings love' was the mantra of the late designer Alber Elbaz. This is also the exhibition's name at Palais Galliera, dedicated to the Israeli designer. Here you can see all the designs presented in tribute to Elbaz during a fashion show last October. Forty-six designers, including John Galliano and Nicolas Ghesquière, worked on this show, creating a design based on Elbaz's cheerful style. The exhibition is supplemented with personal memories of colleagues who had a good relationship with Elbaz.

'Love brings love' can be seen at Palais Galliera, in Paris, until July 10.

La Galerie Dior, at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris, France

At 30 Avenue Montaigne, La Galerie Dior offers visitors a unique representation of Dior's history, heritage and DNA through thirteen themes. In the unique exhibition spaces, you can view the (miniature) creations of couturier and perfumer Christian Dior and those of his six successors, including Yves Saint Laurent and Maria Grazia Chiuri. It also shows how Dior perfumes have evolved and how Dior's creations have taken a prominent place in our culture through Hollywood films.

This exhibition is permanent.

'Africa Fashion' at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, UK

The new 'Africa Fashion' exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London showcases the “irresistible creativity, ingenuity and unstoppable global impact of contemporary African fashion.”

The exhibition opens July 2. The end date is not yet known.

'Vision and Virtuosity', Saatchi Gallery in London, UK

This free exhibition from jewellery brand Tiffany features more than 400 objects from the archives and gives a glimpse into the history of the famous jeweller since its founding in New York in 1837. The recently acquired Empire Diamond of more than 80 carats, the famous Tiffany's shop windows and key elements of popular culture such as the original script of Breakfast at Tiffany's are also given a special space.

The exhibition can be visited until August 19.

’Bethany Williams: Alternative Systems’, The Design Museum in London, UK

This exhibition embraces the work of designer Bethany Williams. From garments made from recycled book waste to collaborations with local projects, the work of this London-based designer addresses social and environmental issues.

The exhibition can be visited until September 4.

‘Fashion Week: A New Era’ - Fashion for Good museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands

What do all the changes we have seen in recent years tell us about the future of fashion and fashion weeks? The Fashion For Good museum in Amsterdam answers these questions with their new exhibition, 'Fashion Week: A New Era', where they take visitors through fashion week's past, present and future.

This exhibition can be visited until October.

'Sneakers Unboxed' in Design Museum Den Bosch, in the Netherlands

The Design Museum in Den Bosch is organising a special exhibition about sneakers this year. 'Sneakers Unboxed' combines the history and cultural context of the sneaker with the latest innovations in design and sustainability.

This exhibition runs until October 2.

'Colorant' in TextielMuseum in Tilburg, Netherlands

The 'Kleurstof' exhibition in the TextielMuseum in Tilburg brings to light both the dilemmas and the potential of dyed textiles. Contemporary innovations are contrasted with age-old traditions. For example, mud, weeds, bacteria, fungi and even urine are discussed as valuable sources of dye. All senses are stimulated: visitors can also feel, smell and even taste the alternative sources of colouring.

This exhibition runs until October 2.

'Alaïa Avant Alaïa' at Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, in Paris, France

The former home and studio of the Tunisian designer at the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa have become a place dedicated to his legacy. In addition to its art collection, archives and library of books on fashion, art and design, the exhibition 'Alaïa Avant Alaïa' can now also be seen. You will learn more about Alaïa through photos, drawings and a selection of designs. The focus is on the women who inspired him, such as Greta Garbo, Naomi Campbell and Stephanie Seymour.

Alaïa Avant Alaïa can be seen until October 23 at Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, in Paris.

'Fashioning Masculinities' at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, UK

From the Gucci dress Harry Styles wore as the first solo male cover star of US Vogue in 2020 to a fresh take on male body image. The exhibition revolves around men's fashion's power, craft and diversity.

The Art of Menswear' is on display until November 6.

'Tracing the Transformation of Kimono Fashion' at the Met Museum in New York, USA

Discover the transformations the kimono underwent between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. 'Tracing the Transformation of Kimono Fashion' also offers a special look at the relationship between the Japanese and Western ideas about the kimono.

The exhibition can be visited until 20 February, 2023.

‘Balenciaga - Masterful Black’ in the Kunstmuseu in The Hague, Netherlands

In the autumn of 2022, the Kunstmuseum Den Haag will pay tribute to the work of the Spanish fashion designer with the exhibition 'Balenciaga – Masterly Black'. More than a hundred masterpieces from the French Palais Galliera and Maison Balenciaga can be seen in The Hague from 24 September 2022. It is the first time that such a large selection of Balenciaga's works can be seen in the Netherlands.

The exhibition can be visited until 5 March, 2023.

‘Kidorama’, Fashion & Lace Museum in Brussels, Belgium

With the Kidorama exhibition, the Fashion & Lace Museum in Brussels is putting two hundred years of children's fashion in the spotlight. The exhibition shows the development of a child’s individuality based on children's fashion. The overview is organised thematically and chronologically and focuses on fashion for children from zero to twelve years old.

The exhibition can be visited until 5 March, 2023.

This article was originally published on FashionUnited.nl, and it was translated by Andrea Byrne.