In fall 2015, the High Museum of Art will become the first U.S. museum to present a major exhibition of work by visionary Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen, a cutting-edge artist inspired by diverse influences in the arts, sciences, music and philosophy. The exhibition will feature one-of-a-kind Haute Couture - acclaimed for its combination of traditional craftsmanship and futuristic, innovative techniques-and includes some of the world's first examples of 3D-printed fashion.
"Iris van Herpen's work is an incredible fusion of artistic expression, craftsmanship and creativity," commented Sarah Schleuning, curator of decorative arts and design at the High. "The marriage of traditional, handcrafted designs and 21st-century technology makes her work innovative, dynamic and a signifier of a bold, new future for fashion design. With this presentation, the High continues to champion the outstanding visionaries who design the world around us."
Iris van Herpen has garnered international acclaim for her couture designs, which interweave traditional handwork with groundbreaking 3D-printing technology, computer modeling and engraving constructed in collaboration with architects, engineers and digital design specialists. Her visually impressive, sculptural designs-often featuring unusual materials such as magnets, umbrella ribs and synthetic boat rigging-create silhouettes that appear both organic and futuristic. Her work has been worn by style icons such as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Bjork and has graced the runways of Amsterdam, London and Paris.
"Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion" will feature 45 outfits carefully selected from 15 of van Herpen's collections designed from 2008 through 2015, offering a comprehensive visual survey of her design career to date. Included are 18 pieces from the designer's six most recent lines and a selection of her shoe designs, as well as 27 pieces from the Groninger Museum's 2012 large-scale solo exhibition of van Herpen's work-all displayed on custom mannequins and accompanied by music and videos from her multimedia runway shows.