Mannequin manufacturers proportion>london were commissioned by the V&A to produce a series of bespoke mannequins to be used in a number of rooms within the exhibition layout. Proportion were already familiar with the show, having supplied mannequins to the original Savage Beauty exhibition, at New York’s prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2011.
Previous to this proportion>london had worked with the McQueen design team for several years and gained a clear understanding of the brand’s aesthetic and identity, often brainstorming presentation concepts with their VM team.
Echoing McQueen’s unconventional style, proportion>london created mannequins and bustforms using raw materials, including papier-mache and natural wood. The proportion development team also deconstructed their offbeat, edgy female fashion mannequin collection THEORY (which was inspired by east London’s, quirky fashion scene), making alterations to the mannequin’s body shape to allow each outfit to hang flawlessly.
Over the years proportion>london has developed a solid relationship with the V&A’s conservators, working closely on many and varied commissions, building an understanding of each other’s knowledge in their respective areas of expertise.
Paying homage to the designer’s legacy, this exhibition is fundamental to understanding and celebrating McQueen’s extraordinary brand of creativity. Housing many of McQueen’s iconic runway pieces, along with an amplified cabinet of curiosity, a beguiling 3D vision of Kate Moss and an experience even the most jaded of fashion enthusiasts could not fail to be overwhelmed by. With a huge 70,000 tickets already sold there can be no doubt that Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty is London’s must see exhibition of the year.
The show runs until 2 August 2015 tickets can be booked at: www.vam.ac.uk/savagebeauty.
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