A World of Feathers - virtualshoemuseum.com

People wear feathers to make an impression. They have done so all over the world for centuries. The greatest couturiers use them, they are worn by royalty all round the world and they have given many indigenous peoples – from Papua New Guinea to North America – iconic status. Fashion lovers will delight at the feathered creations of leading couturiers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler. On display at Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, NL from October 14 2016 till March 5 2017.

Feathers are dazzling, they are distinctive and yet they also connect; they are seductive, exclusive and stylish. The museum’s most beautiful feather objects are now on display to the public for the first time.

Feather shoes by Aki Choklat
The Virtual Shoe Museum loaned a pair of feather brogues designed by Finnish designer Aki Choklat, from his spring/summer 2013 collection design. In the exhibition they are in a fantastic setting in the very good company of fabulous dresses, designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, Yiqing Yin, Pierre Antoine Vettorello and Fong Leng. Material of the shoes: Calf upper, dyed duck feathers, goat lining, leather sole and heel.

ArtEZ Fashion Design
In addition to the works of the aforementioned top couturiers, the next generation of fashion designers from ArtEZ in Arnhem (Fashion Design, a component of the faculty Art & Design at ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem) gave their interpretation on the feathers theme. The museum team asked the students not to use real feathers, but to mimic the effect of feathers by using shapes, materials and textures. This has resulted in a spectacular new perspective on feathers in fashion. A selection of the designs of these students are included in the exhibition.

Exhibition ‘A World of Feathers

Museum Volkenkunde
October 14 2016 till March 5 2017
Location: Steenstraat 1, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Tuesday – Sunday: 10.00 – 17.00

Afrika Museum
Exhibition on show: May 11 till September 25 2017
Location: Postweg 6, 6571 CS Berg en Dal, The Netherlands.
Tuesday – Sunday: 10.00 – 17.00

More info at Museum Volkenkunde.