On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced the new theme for next
year’s Costume institute exhibition: “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of
Technology.” The upcoming exhibition will focus on the dichotomy between
handmade haute couture and machine-made fashion. “Traditionally, the distinction
between the haute couture and prêt-à-porter was based on the handmade and the
machine-made,” explains Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute. “But
recently this distinction has become increasingly blurred as both disciplines
have embraced the practices and techniques of the other.”
The show will feature more than 100 pieces of fashion, both haute couture and
ready-to-wear. Several handmade couture items, featuring techniques such as
embroidery, pleating, and lacework, will be juxtaposed with machine-made designs
showcasing new technologies like laser cutting, thermo shaping, and circular
knitting. The exhibition will also have several “in process” workshops,
including 3-D printing, in which the public will be able to see these designs
take shape.
The museum also announced the 2016 Met Gala will take place on Monday, May 2
and will be hosted by cochairs Idris Elba, Jonathan Ive,Taylor Swift, and Anna
Wintour.Nicolas Ghesquière, Karl Lagerfeld, and Miuccia Prada will serve as
honorary chairs, and the gala and accompanying exhibition will be sponsored by
Apple.