Vitra Design Museum Explores Fashion Shows as Total Art in 'Catwalk' Exhibition
At the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany, an exhibition titled 'Catwalk: The Art of the Fashion Show' is currently on display, chronicling more than a hundred years of fashion show evolution. Conceptualized by Frank Gehry, the exhibit presents the catwalk as a comprehensive art form. It features influential figures such as Charles Frederick Worth, Lucile, Paul Poiret, and Gabrielle Chanel, and emphasizes the 1945 Théâtre de la Mode, showcasing miniature collections from over 40 Parisian designers. The exhibition also examines the prêt-à-porter movement, the 1973 Battle of Versailles, the supermodel phenomenon of the 1990s, and recent advancements driven by the digital age. It will be open until 15 February 2026, reflecting fashion as both performance and cultural commentary.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Catwalk: The Art of the Fashion Show' at Vitra Design Museum explores over 100 years of fashion show history.
- Designed by Frank Gehry, the museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany, hosts the show until 15 February 2026.
- Highlights include the Théâtre de la Mode from 1945 with over 40 Parisian couturiers and Balenciaga archive mannequins.
- Key designers featured range from Charles Frederick Worth and Gabrielle Chanel to Alexander McQueen and Karl Lagerfeld.
- The 1973 Battle of Versailles involved American designers Bill Blass, Anne Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Halston, and Stephen Burrows.
- Recent innovations include digital adaptations like Dior's The Dior Myth and Balenciaga's collaboration with Matt Groening.
- Collaborations with artists and choreographers include Erwin Wurm for Issey Miyake and Sharon Eyal for Dior.
- The exhibition positions fashion shows as Gesamtkunstwerk, integrating architecture, scenography, and movement.
Entities
Artists
- Frank Gehry
- Charles Frederick Worth
- Lucile
- Paul Poiret
- Gabrielle Chanel
- Cristóbal Balenciaga
- Tom Kublin
- Gaby Aghion
- André Courrèges
- Paco Rabanne
- Kenzo Takada
- Bill Blass
- Anne Klein
- Oscar de la Renta
- Halston
- Stephen Burrows
- Pat Cleveland
- Bethann Hardison
- Alva Chinn
- Gianni Versace
- Cindy Crawford
- Naomi Campbell
- Linda Evangelista
- Christy Turlington
- John Galliano
- Alexander McQueen
- Karl Lagerfeld
- Martin Margiela
- Viktor & Rolf
- Hussein Chalayan
- Matt Groening
- Erwin Wurm
- Sharon Eyal
- Rick Owens
- Alessandro Michele
- Donna Haraway
- Rem Koolhaas
- Virgil Abloh
- Anna Müller
Institutions
- Vitra Design Museum
- Balenciaga archive
- Chloé
- LVMH
- Kering
- Chanel
- Grand Palais
- Dior
- Loewe
- Balenciaga
- Issey Miyake
- Gucci
- Spazio META
- Aesthetica Magazine
- Haller Brun
- Bureau Betak
- Prada
- Jacquemus
- Yves Saint Laurent
Locations
- Weil am Rhein
- Germany
- Paris
- France
- United States
- Milan
- Italy