Viktor&Rolf Fashion Artists - NGV Australia
On Friday I attended Viktor&Rolf In Conversation hosted by international guest curator Thierry-Maxime Loriot at the National Gallery of Victoria. Having seen the Dutch fashion designers' work throughout the pages of my fashion magazines growing up, it was surreal to see Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren in the flesh. Scroll down to read more...
Viktor&Rolf Fall 1999 Haute Couture Fashion Show
Known for their avant-garde, extravagant works of wearable art, Viktor and Rolf's unusual ideas and concepts set them apart from the other fashion designers. When they started out in the early nineties in Paris, the art world responded more than the fashion world but their love always lay in designing haute couture.
When asked who their fashion heroes were, there was a pause. After some thought they answered Margiela, Comme Des Garçons and YSL, but then added.
'Ultimately, we don't really have these icons on a high pedestal to be honest.' - Viktor and Rolf
Unsurprisingly Viktor and Rolf are not ones to follow trends either. 'It's impossible to date their pieces,' says Loriot, and it's true. Rather, they look inward for inspiration, and form their ideas through their own feelings or struggles. Unlike many designers, Viktor and Rolf do not design their pieces for a particular female shape. They believe the garment is the finished product, complete without the wearer.
Viktor and Rolf have an incredible and unique working partnership. Someone from the audience asked, 'How do you work together and come up with ideas?' They answered, 'Everything is combined. We started talking when we were 18 and we're still talking, that's how we work'.
Their advice to young designers entering the industry is to be as original as you can, do something no one else is doing and follow your path.
After the talk I visited the exhibition. The pieces are more exquisite and extraordinary in real life than I had imagined. If you loved Jean Paul Gaultier at NGV, you will be blown away by Viktor&Rolf Fashion Artists.
The forty-five pieces as well as installations and film are on display at NGV until 26 February 2017.
Lei xx
Viktor&Rolf Fall 1999 Haute Couture Fashion Show
Viktor&Rolf Fall 1999 Haute Couture Fashion Show
'NO' - Fashion moves too fast, so they incorporated their thoughts into the clothing
Red Carpet Collection in Fall 2014.
Red Carpet Collection in Fall 2014.
Viktor&Rolf Cutting Edge Couture ready-to-wear collection, spring– summer 2010.
Viktor&Rolf doodles
Viktor&Rolf Cutting Edge Couture ready-to-wear collection, spring– summer 2010.
Viktor&Rolf Wearable Art haute couture collection, autumn-winter 2015-16 is responding to the question, 'Can fashion be art?'
Viktor&Rolf Fashion Artists is showing at National Gallery of Victoria from 21 October 2016 until 26 February 2017. Open 10am - 5pm daily.
Don't miss out on the Atelier: Viktor&Rolf for Kids, located next to the gift store. It's just as much fun for adults as it is for the little ones! Try your hand at designing necklaces, collars or hats out of the crepe paper and raffia on offer and have your photo taken in one of the diorama settings.
Click here to watch Viktor&Rolf In Conversation with Thierry-Maxime Loriot.