Iwami Art Museum Collection
Fashion and Interior Decoration in the 20th Century: From Poiret and Chanel to Saint-Laurent Closed

Exhibition Overview

A shimmering velvet coat with a luxurious fur collar; a cape embroidered with beads, crafted by a master artisan; a voluminous evening gown abundant with tulle; and a pair of pumps featuring an intricately woven silver thread rose motif. These are just a few of the works from the Iwami Art Museum’s fashion collection—one of Japan’s finest—that will be displayed at this exhibition.

The 20th century was a period of dizzying change for the fashion industry. Societal needs led to revolutions in fashion while, at the same time, new forms of clothing triggered changes in women’s lifestyles. These trends were also reflected in the interior design of the era. This exhibition has been conceived to allow visitors to witness the evolution of 20th century fashion in displays that illustrate the quintessential interior setting of each period, from the belle époque to the Jazz Age, the Great Depression, World War II, and the middle of the century.

By presenting lifestyle as a platform for the creative arts, the exhibition will illuminate the idea that we place such importance on our clothes and homes, in part, due to the fact that they are, in themselves, works of art.

About the Iwami Art Museum Fashion Collection

Iwami, Shimane Prefecture, is the birthplace of globally renowned designer Hanae Mori. It is also home to Iwami Art Museum, where one of the major aims is collecting items related to fashion. These items include clothes, paintings, prints, craft artworks, as well as photographs. The museum collects fashion items by today’s top designers from around the world, in particular those who hail from Shimane Prefecture.