Fashion exhibitions you don’t want to miss in 2016

2015 will be remembered as the one that brought smash-hit McQueen extravaganza Savage Beauty to London – an exhibition so popular, the V&A opened overnight to keep up with demand – as well as self-funded shows from the likes of Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci, who took on Beijing for their first exhibition under creative director Alessandro Michele. It’s hard to believe, but 2016 is right around the corner – and galleries are already releasing their schedules for the year ahead. Here are some of the shows you don’t want to miss.

HELMUT NEWTON IN COLOUR

Opening in Berlin in December is a retrospective of German photographer Helmut Newton’s colour works, with images taken from his out of print book Pages from the Glossies (first published in 1998 and reissued just for the exhibition). More than 500 images will be on display in chronological order, allowing visitors to trace Newton’s changing style over the decades, starting back in the 1950s.

December 4, 2015–May 22, 2016, Museum of Photography, Berlin

MAPPLETHORPE AT LACMA

Robert Mapplethorpe changed the landscape of contemporary image-making with his provocative, fetishistic work – and has had a lasting influence on the fashion industry. Next year, his legacy is being celebrated at LACMA, with a comprehensive retrospective that covers his drawings, sculptures, polaroids and even some rare films.

March 20–July 31, 2016, LACMA, Los Angeles

JUDY BLAME’S FIRST SOLO SHOW

Opening in June at the ICA is legendary British accessory designer and stylist Judy Blame’s first-ever solo show. The exhibition will trace the fashion rebel’s DIY aesthetic from the punk movement of the 70s to the 80s club scene and ahead to today, where he still works creating pieces for editorials and designers including Louis Vuitton’s Kim Jones. 

June 29–September 11, 2016, The ICA, London

ISSEY MIYAKE IN TOKYO

Thanks to his innovative use of fabric and boundary-pushing techniques, Issey Miyake has built a reputation as one of Japan’s most revered designers. Now, a new exhibition dedicated to him is set to open in Tokyo at The National Art Centre, spanning his entire entire career from the 1970s to today. Highlights will include his infamous Pleats Please creations and a selection of his beloved work with Irving Penn.

March 16–June 13, 2016, The National Art Centre, Tokyo

UTOPIAN BODIES

How can fashion be harnessed to create a better future? That’s a question posed by Liljevalchs Gallery’s Utopian Bodies exhibition, a show that includes designs from designers including John Galliano for Dior, Walter Van Beirendonck, Rick Owens, Prada and more. There’s also a focus on the next generation, spotlighting work by the likes of Dazed favourites Claire Barrow and Gypsy Sport.

Until February 7, 2016, Liljevalchs, Stockholm

FASHION GOES FUTURISTIC

After the colossal success of China: Through the Looking Glass, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s next exhibition will explore fashion in an age of technology. Dubbed manus x machina, it promises to span more than 200 years of sartorial history, examining the way that humans and machines have worked together to create clothes, from traditional couture to 3D printing. All will kick off with the Met Gala in May, with hosts including Nicolas Ghesquière, Karl Lagerfeld and Miuccia Prada.

May 5, 2016–August 14, 2016, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

LOEWE HEADS TO MIAMI

Since taking over at Loewe, creative director Jonathan Anderson has been keen to push the historic Spanish house’s agenda. Starting in December this year, the Loewe Foundation will open its first exhibition at the Miami Design District store, featuring work from contemporary British artists including Paul Nash, Anthea Hamilton, Lucie Rie and Rose Wylie.

December 2, 2015–January 17, 2016, Loewe, Miami

GETTING UNDRESSED AT THE V&A

Opening in April, the Victoria and Albert museum’s next fashion-focussed show is on what lies beneath our clothes. Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear is set to take attendees on a journey from corsets to Juicy Couture, exploring the way our smalls have been designed to support and add sex appeal to our bodies. Don’t forget those iconic Calvin Klein waistbands, either.

April 16– March 12, 2017, The V&A, London

COUNTERCULTURE NOW

As part of Somerset House’s year dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Thomas More’s influential political work Utopia, a new exhibition will explore the way that counterculture manifests itself in the 21st century. Featuring clothes, photography and art, the show aims to trace London’s countercultural movements from 2000 to today, unpicking their politics and aesthetics are intertwined.

July 4–August 29, 2016, Somerset House, London