A first look at the Viktor&Rolf DOLLS exhibition for the Luminato Festival

Preview of the ROM’s latest exhibition, Viktor&Rolf’s DOLLS as part of the Luminato Festival

Eerie and fascinating. Internationally recognized fashion house Viktor&Rolf gathered an unconventional archive of their provocative fashion designs throughout the years. They created their archive in the form of Victorian-inspired dolls with porcelain painted faces and make up. You will notice attention to details were given for styling of the eyes, hair and makeup. Also the textiles, fashion and accessories on each doll are precisely scaled-down versions of those found on the Viktor & Rolf catwalks from 1993 to 2011. It’s an interesting idea since it turns the fast decay of the fashion world into timeless, conceptual art objects.

‘Maryna’, The Fashion Show Collection Fall/Winter 2007

‘Nadja’, The Hunt Collection Fall/Winter 2004

‘Devon’, Black Hole Collection Fall/Winter 2001

‘Tiiu’ Bedtime Story Collection Fall/Winter 2005

This North American premiere exhibition can be viewed by the public for FREE at the Royal Ontario Museum’s Thorsell Spirit House in Toronto starting on June 9th until June 30th, 2013.

It is commissioned and produced by the Luminato Festival and presented in collaboration with the Royal Ontario Museum. Luminato’s Artistic Director, Jorn Weisbrodt, was in attendance at the media preview at the ROM.

Jorn Weisbrodt, Luminato’s Artistic Director

“What I love about Viktor&Rolf’s dolls is that they work on so many levels,” says Weisbrodt. “They are absolutely stunning to look at and amaze everyone from four to 104 years old. The dolls cross the border between fashion and art, which fits well with my ideal of mixing the art forms, sophisticated to accessible. I have always admired the Viktor&Rolf approach to fashion that is conceptual and absolutely glamorous at the same time. It is a great honor and pleasure to work with Viktor&Rolf, and Studio Job, on a unique presentation of the catwalk for Toronto. The city will fall in love with these dolls.”

I look forward to attending Luminato’s Big Bang Bash gala tonight for the exclusive premiere of the Viktor&Rolf dolls. Photos to come!

‘Emina’, The Fashion Show Collection Fall/Winter 2007 Photo: Peter Stigter

ABOUT VIKTOR&ROLF
Viktor&Rolf are widely recognized and respected for their conceptual glamour and provocative creations. Viktor&Rolf have staged their signature collections at spectacular shows in Paris for over twenty years while their fashion label has grown worldwide. Grounded in Womenswear since their first couture collection in Spring/Summer 1998, Viktor&Rolf have a meticulous dedication to their craft always playing with scale and proportion. Their first Menswear show in Autumn/Winter 2003 marked their successful expansion into the Menswear arena with their sophisticated yet ironic Monsieur collections. Viktor&Rolf offer complimentary lifestyle products such as luxurious accessories, Viktor&Rolf Vision and a catalogue of fragrances including FLOWERBOMB and SPICEBOMB. At their core, is the undying vision to create spectacular beauty and unexpected elegance. Visit viktor-rolf.com.