The House of Viktor & Rolf at Barbican Art Gallery on artrepublic.com
Exhibition running from Jun 18 2008
until Sep 20 2008
This summer Barbican Art Gallery will showcase the work of avant-garde Dutch fashion designers Viktor & Rolf. This will be the first time in the United Kingdom that an exhibition has been devoted to this highly influential duo. Over the past 15 years Viktor & Rolf have taken the fashion world by storm with their particular blend of cool irony and surreal beauty. The exhibition will chart their career within the context of a specially commissioned installation by Viktor & Rolf. Dominating both floors of the Gallery, this spectacular installation will be kept under wraps until the opening day. The House of Viktor & Rolf will present all the signature pieces and key moments in their career from 1992 to now. Highlights include Haute Couture pieces from Atomic Bomb, 1998–99, featuring dramatic mushroom cloud-like cushioned necklines and Russian Doll, 1999–2000, in which a single model was painstakingly dressed by the designers themselves in front of a catwalk audience in 10 independent layers, in an experience reminiscent of performance art. In the boudoir-themed show Bedtime Story, 2005–06, the dreamy atmosphere was created by garments abundant with broderie Anglaise, quilting and ruffles. Viktor Horsting & Rolf Snoeren have been working together since their graduation from the Academy of Arts, Arnhem, in 1992. Their first Haute Couture catwalk show, in January 1998, was followed by four more inspirational collections that secured their reputation. In March 2000 Viktor & Rolf presented their first ready-to-wear collection based on the American flag, an audacious announcement of their global aspirations. Viktor & Rolf became household names through the widely popular perfume, Flowerbomb, launched in October 2004 by L’Oréal and a sell-out collection for high street giant H & M in 2006. Viktor & Rolf’s acclaimed Milan boutique, opened in 2005, in which a neo-classical interior has been installed upside down, perfectly exemplifies their distinctive blend of conceptualism, elegance and humour. OPENING HOURS: Mon - Sat : 09.00 - 23.00, Sun: 12.00 - 23.00 Image Credits: Image 1: The House of Viktor & Rolf, Barbican Art Gallery Courtesy of Barbican Art Gallery, Photo credit Lyndon Douglas Slide Show: The House of Viktor & Rolf, Barbican Art Gallery Courtesy of Barbican Art Gallery, Photo credit Lyndon Douglas  |
