Sunday, December 19, 2010

Textile Museum

Located above the Museu de Arts Decoratives in the Palau Reial de Padralbes is the Barcelona Textile Museum.
Not where you would probably expect me to be spending time, but honestly, we had some time to kill! What a pleasant surprise I had in store.
The amazing collection traces the evolution of fashion: providing interesting 'how tos' such as how the 'new look' bust was created, seen above, and contrasting elements of different styles.
The patterns of these victorian skirts below were contrasted to a much later 20th century version.
And just how are those hoop skirts held high? Well, here's how! Seeing the clothing in person and relatively close up was much better than reading about them in a book or magazine.The workmanship and details on some of the pieces were amazing, especially loved this flapper look. Notice the white suit in the background, so Gatsby'esque!
Examples such as these mid 19th century Empire styled dresses were in such immaculate condition with such vivid colors you would have thought they were just sewn yesterday.Seeing this fairly recent dress compared with an Edwardian train was another example of a great pairing.And just how are those bustles kept up (throughout different periods)?The layout of this exhibit really is impeccable. I always say the right presentation can make the most mundane exhibit interesting (I recently saw a fascinating exhibit on parking garages at the NBM. Come on, I mean...they made parking structures interesting!).These bodices were in such beautiful colors.More amazing beading work.This is a whole lot of look, but in the right situation, pretty fabulous!Spain's own Balenciaga is of course represented. I loved all of his clothing they showed. Some more bizarre pairings showing yet again how things never change; they just come in and out of fashion, nothing is ever 'new'. These body conscious dresses below come from all different styles and time periods.Not everything is so beautiful, will these ever be back in style? That red men's polyester number really made my skin itch!Make sure to stop by this amazing museum, right on the metro line. You can't beat 3 museums in 1: Textile, Ceramics and decorative arts.

13 comments:

Concrete Jungle said...

It's one of the best, you are right three in one!

Thombeau said...

Wow. That's really all I can say!

The Down East Dilettante said...

This has me ready to book a flight.

Jane Kilpatrick Schott said...

What a fabulous exhibit!

That was a real gift for the season seeing these photos.
Thank you.

David Toms said...

Stefan, this looks wonderful! I am sorry that I missed when i was there! Definitley on the list next time!

quintessence said...

So beautiful (most everything) and you are right layout design is so very important!!

Eric H said...

I really enjoyed visiting this museum, too! These pictures are great, and only give a small taste. It's fascinating to see how the styles evolved over time and what the influencers are.

Interesting enough, this museum isn't even known to exist by people I talked to who live right in the Pedralbes neighborhood (where I once lived as an exchange student, oohhh the memories). It's definitely a hidden gem.

Pigtown*Design said...

The V&A in London has a great textile section. I saw an exhibit of the Queen of Norway's dresses there and it was fabulous. The clothing was from the early 1900's.

Bart Boehlert said...

Oh you are lucky! When we were there this museum was not open. Looks great from your pictures.
BB

24 Corners said...

this was just lovely to look at...thank you for posting so many pictures, I loved it!
xo J~

La Petite Gallery said...

Fasinating, they are all so wonderful. The garderbelt could have been left out. HEhehe
Merry Christmas yvonne

Mark D. Ruffner said...

Isn't it amazing how well preserved these all are? They must have been loved and treasured. I looked at the very first image and marveled at that design. Then the thought came to me that you, Stefan, might appreciate something like this because there is the quality of it having been constructed no less than a great building.

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

thank you for the tour-your photographs are always so very good. I am coming vack to this one again. pgt