Lorena's Epiphany

Spain Travel Journal: Barcelona 04 (part two)

August 17, 2009 at 1:28 pm 2 comments

/.Disproportionate Bodies./

“But fashions are like human beings. They come in, nobody knows when, why, or how; and they go out, nobody knows when, why, how.”
- Charles Dickens

Dressing the body - exhibit by DHB, Barcelona

We’ve come a long way in fashion. Sometimes the changes in style were ever-so-subtle, but never without a certain consciousness to shape the body. The DHB, which held the “Travel Fetishes. Beyond the Cliches” I wrote about previously, was also holding a fashion exhibit in the northern part of Barcelona that day.

The 30 minute train ride to get to the Pelau Royal stop was annoying with several transfers, but well-worth it once I walked out. I suddenly found myself surrounded by a scenic view of the mountains. The main road in front of the station is lined with palm trees, much like LA. The area where the exhbit was being held is very tranquil and beautiful.

the beautiful garden in the front of Pelau de Pedralbes

The Pelau de Pedralbes, also the future location of the textile museum, is surrounded by a beautiful garden with small fountains. Students and families lie in the shade with birds chirping around fountains. I was very tempted to do the same.

The exhibit was nearly empty, except for a few couples. You begin with the dress of the gentleman and courtesan of the 1550-1789 period. Women from the bourgeoisie period were “…like decorative objects, an exhibition to show their husbands’ wealth.” (quote from exhibit) Even some men, who were referred to as “the dandies”, wore corsets back then. Interesting.

Anatomy of a fashion style

I particularly liked how they also displayed the modern styles that were inspired by the previous periods. For example, the pointed bra Madonna notorioulsy wore in the 80’s actually has roots in the 1940’s. There was also a huge section dedicated to Balenciaga (love, love, love!) Many of his older pieces could easily be worn today.

As you walk further into the exhibit, you watch as the body slowly gets liberated from rigid forms to clothes that disproportionate us today (think bell-bottoms, sherwal pants, loose-fitting clothes).

Whether we are conscious of it or not, we are constantly shaping our bodies – from the second we open our wardrobe in the morning, to the lingerie we put on at night.

Entry filed under: Floating. Tags: Balenciaga, Barcelona, body, bourgeoisie, Charles Dickens, dandies, DHB, exhibit, Fashion & Style, gardens, history, Madonna, palau de pedralbes, pelau royal, quote, Spain, style, textile, Travel.