Get out from the melting sun and in to the cool air conditioning of the museums…..and check out the amazing fashion exhibits while you’re at it.

 

 

What: Herb Ritts: L.A. Style
Where: Los Angeles, California
When: Now – August 26
Why: Fashion photographer Herb Ritts’ work is on display at the Getty Museum. Think high-contrast, high-drama black and white works that blend art and pop culture in a manner that’s totally innovative and captivating.

What: The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk
Where: San Fransisco, California
When: Now – August 19
Why: Jean-Paul Gaultier is known for his gritty, provocative designs, and now you can see them (dating back to his debut in 1976) at the DeYoung Museum in San Fran. Sketches, photographs, video clips and, of course, clothing, are all on display.

 

 

What: Charleston Couture
Where: Charleston, South Carolina
When: Now – November 4
Why: Southern belle couture is the name of the game at the Charleston Museum’s latest fashion exhibit, showcasing luxurious pieces from prominent plantation owners way back when.

 

What: A Day at the Beach
Where: Kent State University, Ohio
When: Now – October 7
Why: Nowadays we wear as little as possible when we hit the shore, but that wasn’t always the case. The Kent State University Museum’s exhibit on women’s seaside attire over the years includes parasols and white gowns with bustles from the mid-1800s and less restricting dresses from the early 20th century.

 

What: Fashion Accessories from Head to Toe
Where: Menlo Park, California
When: Now – January 1
Why: Straight out of Downton Abbey, these period pieces will show you exactly where some of our modern styles evolved from.

 

 

What: Christian Louboutin exhibition
Where: London, England
When: Now – July 9
Why: Christian Louboutin, shoe designer of red-soled fame, has his most artistic footwear on display at the View in London. This retrospective will have you doing double takes, picking your jaw off the floor and drooling over the shoe porn to end all shoe porn collections.

 

What: Princess Diana dress exhibition
Where: London, England
When: Now – August 31
Why: Princess Diana’s modern, designer-heavy wardrobe made her a style star. State banquet dresses and her iconic pink and purple chiffon sari gown by Catherine Walker are all included in this display at the View. How long until Kate Middleton gets one of these exhibits?

 

What: Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950
Where: London, England
When: Now – January 6
Why: The “Ballgowns” exhibit at the V&A seeks to prove Britain’s fashion prowess, displaying some of the most stunning gowns we’ve ever laid eyes on. They’re all designed by British fashion designers, so think Jonathan Saunders, Hussein Chalayan, Jenny Packham and even an Alexander McQueen or two.

 

What: Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective
Where: Denver, Colorado
When: Now – July 8
Why: Yves Saint Laurent’s influence on women’s style, from Le Smoking to haute couture, is still found in contemporary designs. The Denver Art Museum put together a major retrospective of the designer’s ouvre from the start of his career in 1958 to its end in 2002.

 

What: Louis Vuitton – Marc Jacobs
Where: Paris, France
When: Now – September 16
Why: While imaginary conversations are going on between Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada across the pond, the work of Marc Jacobs, and Louis Vuitton’s original namesake designer, is being displayed together at the Decorative Arts museum in Paris.

 

What: Iris van Herpen exhibition
Where: Binnenstad, The Netherlands
When: Now – September 23
Why: How many fashion designers who have been at it for less than a decade are given museum exhibits? Not many, which speaks volumes to Iris van Herpen’s tact for fashion design. Named to the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture last year, Van Herpen has done so much already and her career has only just begun.

 

What: The World of Cristobal Balenciaga
Where: Paris, France
When: Now – October 7
Why: Marking the 40th anniversary of the designer’s death, the Cité de la Mode et du Design has over 70 RTW pieces and 40 couture coats and dresses made by the genius himself.

 

What: Yohji Yamamoto exhibition
Where: Holon, Israel
When: July 5 – October 20
Why: Avant-garde wizard Yohji Yamamoto’s designs are on display at the Israeli Design Museum Holon, featuring mens and womenswear alike, placing emphasis on people, place and design through the museum’s indoor and outdoor spaces.

 

What: An American Legacy: Norell, Blass, Halston and Sprouse
Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
When: Now – January 27
Why: Who knew the midwest bore so many brilliant designers?! Norman Norell, Bill Blass, Stephen Sprouse and Halston all hail from Indiana and have archival pieces on display at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, including ensembles worn by Nancy Reagan, Betty Furness and Debbie Harry. How’s that for influential Americana?

 

What: Go Figure: New Fashion Illustration
Where: London, England
When: Now – July 14
Why: All fashion design starts with a sketch and an idea, so the Fashion Space Gallery explored this concept by putting together an exhibit of fashion-themed illustrations from relatively unknown, yet undeniably brilliant, young artists.

 

What: Kabuki – Japanese Theatre Costumes
Where: Paris, France
When: Now – July 15
Why: Japanese theater costumes, known as Kabuki, are expressive and elaborate, transforming the actor into an entirely different person or object. See the robes themselves and imagine them alive and in motion at the Fondation Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent.

 

What: Designing 007: Fifty Years of Bond Style
Where: London, England
When: Now – March 1
Why: The sex appeal of James Bond is undeniable, make it your mission to find out if the suit really makes the man at this exhibit at the Barbican museum.

 

What: Living Fashion
Where: Antwerp, Belgium
When: Now – August 12
Why: This presentation at the Mode Museum focuses on the women who had different outfits for shopping and leisure in the 19th century–the rich. It’s sure to be luxurious.

 

What: Out of Fashion
Where: Wilmington, North Carolina
When: Now – August 19
Why: Made up of 13 local designers around the Cameron Art Museum, this exhibit infuses serious fashion into the small-town scene.

 

What: On the Home Front: Civil War Fashions and Domestic Life
Where: Kent State University, Ohio
When: Now – August 26
Why: We can’t imagine raising a family and worrying about our solider husbands while wearing a full coat and bustle, so we are glad that this exhibit at the Kent State University Museum celebrates the people who truly suffered for fashion.

 

What: Gala Dress: Court and Couture
Where: Copenhagen, Denmark
When: Now – August 26
Why: Soak up the beauty and luxury of these black-tie gowns at the Amalienborg Museum.

 

What: Stephen Jones: From Georgina to Boy George
Where: Newgate, England
Why: Anna Piaggi once described Stephen Jones as “the maker of the most beautiful hats in the world.” Needless to say, this exhibit at the Bowles Museum will live up to her endorsement.

 

What: Art Deco Chic
Where: Vancouver, Canada
When: Now – September 23
Why: This exhibition at the Museum of Vancouver focuses on how women found glamour in between wars.

 

What: Jewellery Unleashed!
Where: Zurich, Switzerland
When: Now – September 23
Why: From minimalism to maximalism, this exhibit at the Museum of Bellerive covers every trend in jewelry.

 

What: Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion
Where: Tokyo, Japan
When: Now – October 8
Why: Japan always seems to be one step ahead of the fashion curve, so look back at the past 30 years of Japanese style for some major inspiration at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo.

 

What: Off the Peg: Fashion from the 40s and 50s
Where: Dumfries, Scotland
When: Now – October 31
Why: On loan from private owners, these gorgeous vintage frocks, on display at the National Museum of Scotland, will cure your Season One Mad Menitch.

 

What: From Mini to Maxi
Where: Vilnius, Lithuania
When: Now – November 4
Why: The Museum of Applied Art website promises couture from Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Nina Ricci. Try not to drool.

 

What: Pret-a-Papier
Where: Washington, D.C.
When: Now – December 30
Why: These clothes are amazing…and made out of paper. Yes, paper. Check it out at the Hillwood Museum.

 

What: Fashion A-Z – Part 2
Where: New York City, New York
When: Now – November 10
Why: As part of the Fashion Institute of Technology’s two part series displaying their archives, this one is a must see.

 

 

What: Diana Vreeland After Diana Vreeland
Where: San Beneto, Venice
When: Now – June 25
Why: This exhibit at the Palazzo Fortuny is the first to be entirely dedicated to the late Vogue editor. You can view select pieces from her entensive wardrobe, including some couture articles.

 

 

What: Prada and Schiaparelli: Impossible
Conversations
Where: New York City, New York
When: Now – August 19
Why: The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual costume institute needs no introduction – mainly because the Prada & Schiaparelli clothing featured has been talked about all over the world.

 

What: Glamour
Where: Bath, England
When: Now – December 31
Why: Anything with the title “Glamour” immediately draws us in, especially if it focuses on gorgeous evening wear. Find it at the Museum of Costume.