I have to admit, I was rather dazed at the V&A after seeing the Christian Dior exhibition. You can’t spend that long going through an exhibition of over 500 items of that quality and not be. However, I was still able to notice quite a few spectacular pieces in the fashion galleries afterwards. Schiaparelli, (more) Dior, and Balenciaga are all magically mixed in throughout. And as a Duchess of Cambridge fan, of course I spotted the Alexander McQueen pieces straight away!
Alexander McQueen, 2005 “Horse Dress”
As far as I can tell, this dress does not have a name. However, I have chosen to call it the Horse dress so it’s a bit easier. (Horse dress also seems pretty apt.) According to the V&A collection,
“The carousel dress is constructed from a pale golden stretch net with six applique silk chiffon horses trailing the skirt. The candy-stripe red and gold carousel poles twist around the body, covering the seams. One emerges between the bust and goes over the right shoulder, the left strap twists to the centre back and continues twisting down the body – cleverly covering the zip fastening.”
When you quickly walk by, it seems like just another evening dress. If you look closer, though, you will be astounded by the embroidery work on the horses and the construction of the garment itself. I just finished watching an Alexander McQueen documentary that is now available on Netflix in Canada, McQueen, and a lot of it covers his more avant garde work. This dress is just gorgeous, though- I think that most of us would jump at the chance to wear it. McQueen was a fascinating man, and his house is well and truly established under the helm of Sarah Burton, and I’m grateful that we are now getting more history on the man and the house.
A “Whoops” Moment
I fully admit, the V&A collection can be one of the most entertaining things to read. Yes, the pieces are gorgeous and interesting. BUT the Object History Notes are where it’s at. If you do see a piece that are interested in at the V&A, look it up in their online collection. When I went to look at this piece, I discovered this gem.
The donor, Christina Norvell, wore this dress to the reopening of the V&A Toshiba Gallery of Japanese Art in 2015. She recalls that the back of the dress became caught in the revolving doors to the Grand Entrance upon arrival, and she had to be rescued by several security guards. Fortunately the dress has survived the ordeal without noticeable damage.
It’s a miracle that any pieces of fashion history still survive! I also usually don’t think of a museum as a dangerous place but will here on be looking at them with wary eyes… (Not seriously, museums are the best, obviously.)
What do you think of Alexander McQueen’s horse dress at the V&A?
Cheers,
The Historian
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