Events labelled as "fashion nights" scattered all over the world from Milan to London and New York have been rather depressing for being just another occasion to shop rather than learn anything about the fashion industry.
Yet in Venice they are going to turn the concept around during tonight's "Venice Fashion Night". Rather than forcing on consumers the umpteenth "It" bag while they sip a glass of cheap champagne and listen to a hip DJ in a shop, agency "Venezia da vivere" is inviting local people and tourists to join in a rich programme of cultural events that will introduce them to the art of many local artisans, ateliers and tailoring houses.
The main point of this event is indeed promoting the local history and work of genuine craftspeople: so if you are around, you'll be able to visit Roberta di Camerino's historical atelier in Palazzo Grifalconi and discover an exhibition on her tartan pieces; tailoring fans shouldn't instead miss the performance at the Atelier Al Duca D'Aosta Venezia 1902, while accessory lovers can opt for the wearable glass art of Marina and Susanna Sent or learn from one of the last impiraresse the art of threading beads.
Fashion designer Antonio Marras has instead curated the layout for the exhibition "Sguardo di donna. Da Diane Arbus a Letizia Battaglia" (A Woman's Gaze. From Diane Arbus to Letizia Battaglia), and there is also a prestigious institution that will be offering engaging events - Palazzo Mocenigo (one of Irenebrination's favourite institutions).
The Museum and Study Center of the History of Fabrics and Costumes will be open until 10 p.m. tonight to allow visitors to see two exhibition, "Miniartextil – Gea" and "The Rape of Venice".
The former is a traditional event for the Mocenigo Palace: organised every year by the association Arte & Arte Como and featuring 54 mini textile works made with "threads" of every description, including wool, copper, silk, iron, light, wool and glass, this year's exhibition is inspired by the theme Gea, The Great Mother Earth. The second event is instead a multimedia installation by Andrea Morucchio about saving and protecting Venice, that extends on the ground floor of the museum.
The best thing about this very special "Fashion Night" - that you can also follow live on Instagram - remains the fact that it has a unique local flavour, it will help visitors discovering and getting to know local talents, and it boasts the support of a museum of costume and textiles.
This is actually a great idea that should maybe be adopted by other museums all over the world. What about launching a Global Fashion Museum Night? It would indeed be great if people were invited to discover more about the history of fashion design and of the fashion industry before being forced to become consumers, don't you think so?
Member of the Boxxet Network of Blogs, Videos and Photos
Comments