Mirror Mirror at MoMu Antwerp: Fashion Meets Psychology

The exhibition 'Mirror Mirror – Fashion & the Psyche' at the ModeMuseum (MoMu) in Antwerp explores how fashion, in dialogue with art, influences self-perception, extending the reflection to human surrogates such as dolls, mannequins, and avatars. Curated by Elisa De Wyngaert, the show features artists including Sarah Lucas, Cindy Sherman, Genieve Figgis, and Hans Bellmer, aiming to 'scrutinize outdated beauty ideals and support a new approach to images and mental health in the fashion industry.' The exhibition is divided into three sections: 'Reflection,' 'Replica,' and 'Avatar.' 'Reflection' focuses on self-perception with works by Rei Kawakubo, Martin Margiela, Hussein Chalayan, Molly Goddard, and Noir Kei Ninomiya, featuring custom wigs by hairstylist Cyndia Harvey as a manifesto of inclusive beauty. 'Replica' delves into the history of fashion dolls from the 1400s, including the Théâtre de la Mode dolls from 1945, and mannequins reimagined by artist Ed Tsuwaki and the museum, inspired by Haitian-born editor and style icon Michelle Elie. 'Avatar' addresses the virtual realm with CGI experimentation, culminating in Ed Atkins' 2014 video 'Ribbons,' which questions the boundaries between reality and artifice. The exhibition runs until February 26, 2023.