Madame Gres evening gown, 1954
There are so many reasons to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art this season. Just this week, Michelle Obama christened the new American wing, calling on the city to dismantle barriers between arts and the community (more on that later).
Of course, every change in New York has its critic. But a 12-year renovation has ushered in more sunlight, brightening up and airing out a corridor of statues and ceramics. On a recent visit, I found an artist using the natural light to sketch one of the statues. Imagine spending an entire day musing on one piece of art.
Speaking of muses, the Met emerged as a focal point for the fashion industry last week with the star-studded debut of its Model as Muse exhibit. It is modern, edgy and unexpected – well worth a trip.
Interesting enough, press who covered the First Lady’s visit fixated on fashion. ABC reported that Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, designer Ralph Lauren and model Iman attended, and Michelle wore a purple Isaac Mizrahi dress with metallic shoes. For a stitch-by-stitch recap, you need Women’s Wear Daily’s blog.
Model as Muse is a journey through fashion decades, exploring not only the looks but the models who inspired them. I loved the satin party frocks, wool jackets and refined femininity of the room devoted to the 1940s.
Too bad pictures weren’t allowed, because there’s simply no way to describe the cut-out dresses of the ’60s room. Consider a mini dress with two holes removed for the goodies. Or a topless bathing suit with torso straps (not safe for work but pictured here).
The ’70s display was all about working women, with wide-legs, oxford shirts and masculine poses. The ’80s and ’90s heralded the supermodel – you’re sure to remember the ad campaigns and magazine spreads featured here. The exhibit moves through grunge, Kate Moss, and the Eastern European aesthetic. All the while, Nirvana’s All Apologies and Marilyn Manson’s The Beautiful People blare over the sound systems. Super surprising and kinda cool.
My friend and I finished the day with our favorite ritual, 2:30 p.m. tea at the museum’s Petrie Cafe. It’s a little pricey, but the windowed view is perfect. A silver tray of cakes and sandwiches served with tea (English Breakfast, please) is the perfect fashion plate. You’ll leave hungry, but then again, you’ve just spent an hour looking at 90-pound models.
As for breaking down barriers between art and community? Let’s start with the price tag. A little known tip: many NYC museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and American Museum of Natural History, suggest you donate $20 a ticket. But it is truly a donation and you can enter for free. So don’t let price deter you. I gathered up all the cash I had on me — $4 — and got in with no problem. This may be the best reason of all to hit up the Met.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Ave. at 82nd Street
New York, New York 10028-0198
Information: 212-535-7710
Hours:
Closed Mondays (Except Holiday Mondays)
Tuesday–Thursday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion runs through August 9, 2009
After the taping, black limos parked on side streets and the party let out for cocktails in the back foyer. Beneath a giant poster about climate change, the Donald set up a table with hundreds of copies of his latest book, 
