Sybilla

Reconnecting with one's past fashion passions

MOMU Game Changers

In my late teens, I fell in love with the designs of Spanish designer, Sybilla. The fluid shapes, use of colour and drama. When I began to study millinery, I found her work again, as she also created some hats. So to see her work in Game Changers was welcoming, made me smile, dream and want to create once again. Her pieces in the exhibition showed her skill of fabric use, cut and how to clothe the body in other ways, yet not too different from the norm.Like her Spanish counterpart Balenciaga, she re-frames the silhouette. 

My favourite piece, i spent ages studying the cut

On my searches after the exhibition it was good to see that she has returned to fashion designing. Article in W Magazine.

Game Changers

Game Changers - MOMU Antwerp

Antwerp Day 2 July 3rd 2016

I am often in the head space that nothing can go wrong when you are in a museum.... 
Some may say that I just have my head in the clouds. 

But when you are in a really good exhibition, time does seem to stop. One reacts emotively to what is laid out before you. It doesn't always happen and sometimes it may happen with just one object. (The same thing happens when walking in nature or being visually aware in a day to day way too). At Game Changers, MOMU, this was the case for me. 

None more so than when in front of the pale, salmon silk, Balenciaga dress in the Technical Mastery case.

MOMU Sunday (continued)

MOMU Sunday (continued)

I was slightly Technically Challenged!

one of the films from the opening section

           Following this breathtaking opening was the chance to see a collection of Balenciaga dresses that one rarely has the opportunity to. The first case was a collection of iconic black dresses. Two of these were revolving to enable the detail front and back to be seen which worked so well. There were definitely two dresses here that I would love to try to recreate. Especially the piece with layered shoulders which had a similar silhouette to my most favourite dress. 

 

           Something that I learned after my visit here and the conversation with  the Collections Manager was the importance of perfect mannequin-age the idea that you just see the clothes, this is the holy grail of fashion exhibitions. At MOMU one has found this.

           The opening of the exhibition begins with the phrase ‘Tiger’s Leap’ taken from the writing of Walter Benjamin, fashion’s reflecting on the past to leap into the future. Balenciaga did this in the 1940’s creating a whole new silhouette for women. Far removed from the New Look from Dior, offering new readings of past shapes and continuing to experiment and push boundaries.  

The kimono always an iconic garment, recreated in many forms by many designers. Can it be challenged? Within the exhibition we see new ways of thinking and how the designers brought together for this exhibition have challenged the form.

I learned from the space between body and fabric from the traditional kimono not the style but the space Issy Miyake

The language brings to mind the context behind clothes and how we studying fashion continue to work with a different narrative.

On to Antwerp

On to Antwerp

Having already passed through Antwerp from Brussels to Tilburg  and the brutalist architecture of the station I was intrigued to see more. The earlier train proved to be the slow train passing through every village and town. As I found out later the Antwerp sales which always begin each year on July 1^st are a big pull for the inhabitants of the Netherlands. It was a busy station. Intriguing with the vote that we just had in the UK that this ease of movement will be lost. This neighborliness and collaborative spirit.

Antwerp station is phenomenal coming out of the depths of three floors down up into the grandeur of gold and carved stonework, stations of old, promising adventure and excitement. The hotel was only 5 minutes walk away. Stations may occasionally need better sign posts or I need to map read better. The jaunt through the slightly scrubby streets to the west of the station didn’t promise greatness, hotel found, wonderful staff and a room of peace and quiet, the next part of the adventure could begin.

I was in Antwerp to explore MOMU the fashion museum. The challenge was that none of my correspondence had been replied to. So a Saturday afternoon jaunt into the centre to get my bearings and work out where MOMU was and whether there was another way to connect. Quite nerve wracking and angst creating thinking how would I build the research without a contact. Thoughts that I could just commute back to Tilburg if it really didn’t happen but not ideal.

I have never visited Belgium prior to this trip and was intrigued to explore and gain a sense of place and people. Antwerp felt safe, engaging, open and accessible. There is a sense of wealth with an exceptional range of shops and places to eat yet a society that works as a society. The first afternoon boded well for the week ahead whatever happen.

MOMU entrance

Antwerp skyline