Last Wednesday I happened to find myself in the most puzzling, colourful and mysterious exhibition. The flyer description set the tone, overloaded with images and colours. Self-described by perplexing questions such as; What should we wear for our journey to the afterlife? Will flamboyance set you free? Will wearing beige really kill you? How many kilos of weird jewellery is acceptable to wear on any given day?
Welcome to Dare to Wear!
Picture this, you arrive at the St Pancras Church parking area, there are some monk lookalikes that welcome you with unusual music. The surroundings are dark and with some light spots to help you get to the improvised bar where you can nicely enjoy a fresh glass of wine while observing the population around you. The red carpet is filled with queuing onlookers waiting for their turn to enter the crypt. Because, yes, the exhibition takes place in the darkness of St Pancras Church Crypt.
While you wait quietly you think you are starting to get what is going to happen inside just by looking at the crowds outfits. Some may define it as eccentric and I have to agree. Colourful, original, personal and perfectly in line with the exhibitions name.
The explosion of imagery, shapes and colours that you’ll find inside is overwhelming. Fashion and art mixed by 27 artists, brought together by Sue Kreitzman. Kreitzman started her career as a successful food writer who one day awoke with an urge to paint and create through arts and crafts. The result being something completely raw that looks and feels like it came out of her guts. Inspiration may vary between tribal art, religious imagery, old toys and feminine icons (from Frida Kahlo to Medusa).
Twenty-seven artists exploring “profound wardrobe conundrums”, as stated by Sue. Conundrum is the correct word for what you experience inside the crypt as the borderline between art and fashion is very confusing. Personally I would never dare to wear any of the accessories shown… I would consider them as art but that was not the case for others visitors. What I saw as exhibition art pieces others saw as wearable, everyday jewellery highlighting the expansive range of unique styles and tastes in fashion.
But isn’t that fashion is all about ? Trying to develop new styles? Pushing the boundaries as far as possible? Just think about the first time a woman started wearing trousers…
I believe that Dare to Wear is trying to educate us by showing us how dull and boring our fashion sense really is… Wearing the same shaped clothes, following the latest trends. Its purpose is to thumb ones nose at fashion and yell out that something else is still possible.
The exhibition opened with a performance by Marnie Scarlett and Mr Pustra. Kreitzman described the show as being the perfect description of Dare to Wear spirit. After being a little puzzled by it I was wondering what it was all about… I found my answer by discussing the exhibition with some of the other guests: the performance was the exact representation of a bigger meaning, the simple act of daring to exist.
The exhibition is on until November 4th, so please go have a look, you won’t be disappointed !
Where:
St Pancras Crypt
St Pancras Church
Euston and Duke Rd
London
NW1 2BA
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