China Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum

 China: Through the Looking Glass at The Metropolitan Museum of Art has been extended by three weeks through Labor Day, September 7. The exhibition, organized by The Costume Institute in collaboration with the Department of Asian Art, opened to the public on May 7, and has drawn more than 350,000 visitors in its first eight weeks. 

Encompassing approximately 30,000 square feet in 16 separate galleries in the Museum’s Chinese and Egyptian Galleries and Anna Wintour Costume Center, it is The Costume Institute’s largest special exhibition ever, and also one of the Museum’s largest. With gallery space three times the size of a typical Costume Institute major spring show, China has accommodated large numbers of visitors without lines.  

“This exhibition is one of the most ambitious ever mounted by the Met, and I want as many people as possible to be able see it,” said Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of the Met. “It is a show that represents an extraordinary collaboration across the Museum, resulting in a fantastic exploration of China's impact on creativity over centuries.

To date, the exhibition’s attendance is pacing close to that of Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (2011), which was the most visited Costume Institute exhibition ever, as well as the Met’s eighth most popular.  

Museum Members will have early morning private access to the galleries from Wednesday, July 22, to Sunday, July 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., before the Museum opens to the public.

The exhibition explores the impact of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. High fashion is juxtaposed with Chinese costumes, paintings, porcelains, and other art, including films, to reveal enchanting reflections of Chinese imagery. The exhibition, which was originally set to close on August 16, is curated by Andrew Bolton. Wong Kar Wai is artistic director and Nathan Crowley served as production designer.

The exhibition is made possible by Yahoo. Additional support is provided by Condé Nast and several Chinese donors.

I was happy to visit parts of the exhibit I missed during the press preview. It really is a most wonderful exhibit, so much to take in. 

This was just breathtaking and I needed to see it since I missed it the last time. 

This was just absolutely amazing in person. The detail and colors blew my mind! From the fashion house Balenciaga, evening dress of white silk dupioni embroidered with polychrome silk floral motifs, 1962. 

Another creation from Balenciaga 

Alexander McQueen, Autumn 2006 

The one to the left American 1780-85 yellow silk taffeta hand-painted with polychrome floral motifs 

The one to the right French 1780 white silk taffeta hand painted with polychrome floral motifs 

Both of these gowns are just absolutely stunning 

You can view my first posts of the exhibit if you missed it HERE and HERE. 

China: Through the Looking Glass on exhibit until September 7, 2015
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Location: Chinese Galleries, Egyptian Galleries, and the Anna Wintour Costume Center

Instagram / Facebook/ Bloglovin/ Pinterest / Twitter 

China Through the Looking Glass Review

This exhibit, China: Through the Looking Glass, is one of the biggest the Metropolitan Museum of Art has ever shown. The exhibit is located in the Anna Wintour Costume Center and the Chinese galleries on the second floor, and a revamped Egyptian space in between. I am showing you what was mainly in the Anna Wintour Costume Center which was really just so amazing. The detail on the designs is what stood out to me, which I why I shot some close-ups for you to see. This is open until August 16, 2015 and I highly suggest you add it to your to-do list in the city! 

Ensemble, 1980's, Worn by Tseng Kwong Chi, Gray cotton twill  

Red Guard Uniform, 1966-76 

Vivienne Tam . Mao Suit, Spring Summer 1995. White and black polyester jacquard 

Mao Portrait Dress to the left Spring Summer 1995 

Artwork by Andy Warhol in the center of the fashion displays 

Chanel Evening Jacket, ca 1930

Reconfigured Chinese robe of blue silk gauze embroidered with polychrome silk and metal thread 

Look at that detail! I tried to make note of who did the various designs but this one I couldn't find. So sorry as it was really beautiful! 

I think one design was better than the other, as you kept walking around 

Tom Ford for YSL Evening Dress Autumn/Winter 2004-5  

Talk about details in this gorgeous gown! 

Ralph Lauren, Ensemable Autumn/Winter 2011-12 

French evening coat, ca. 1925 

Dries Van Noten 

Coat for the Qianlong Emperor, 1736-95

How great are the shoes to go with that coat? Since they are wedges, I may actually be able to walk in them! 

Dragon Robe Dress, 2011

Laurence Xu 

This gown was breathtaking 

Semi formal robe for the Qianlong Emperor, 1736-95

I hope you enjoyed your visit to this wonderful exhibit! Please let me know if you do get there, how you liked it. I would give yourself a good few hours to go through the whole exhibit, and enjoy all the beauty it has to show us.

China: Through the Looking Glass runs from 7 May to 16 August at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

To be assured not miss a post, sign up for each one to be emailed to you HERE. Be sure to check for your Feedburner confirmation email, or your subscription will not be processed. Your email is not sold or shared with anyone. Thank you so much for visiting!