Contemporary Japanese Fashion

Hello Fellow Fashionista's:

I've just returned from previewing the new show Contemporary Japanese Fashion: The Mary Baskett Collection that opened October 17th at the Textile Museum in Washington DC. If you're interested in the creative arts of any sort this show will provide a sensual overload.

Innovative and avant-garde designs from Yohji Yamaoto, Issey Miyake and Rei Kawakubo will move you to go home and re-mix your existing and perhaps tired clothing stock into whole new ideas. I'm going to wear things inside out, cut off a few hems and wet skirts to tie into random wrinkles and folds just as a start. Re-purpose what we have!

The show runs until April 11th, 2010 and I for one, will revisit several times. The Textile Museum is located at 2320 S Street NW in the tangle of streets that make up the Kalorama neighborhood near Dupont Circle with lots of great places for lunch. Admission is free with donations cheerfully accepted.

While you're there see the accompanying exhibit Fabrics of Feathers and Steel: The Innovation of Nuno. Fabrics that integrate cutting edge technologies and unique properties like aluminum foil, steel, bamboo and bird feathers!

Another great feature of the Textile Museum is their gift shop. Well supplied with unusual items tied to the "textile" theme, this month they had a proliferation of felted items including colorful purses, slippers, scarves (or perhaps they were table runners?). The shop is one of those places I always say "oh I can do that" and of course if you've ever felted as a craft know how difficult it really is. If you have someone to buy a gift for that owns absolutely everything shop here.

The museum also has wonderful lectures and symposiums be sure to sign up for notices or check their website.

Happy Travels,

Mary Gallagher