Man Ray and Fashion at MoMu – Fashion Museum Antwerp

MoMu – Fashion Museum Antwerp’s newest exhibition, ‘Man Ray and Fashion,’ showcases the oeuvre of American visual artist Man Ray from a fashion perspective. Running from April 26 to August 13, 2023, the exhibition features a curated selection of Ray’s photographs taken for top couturiers including Paul Poiret, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Coco Chanel, as well as important fashion magazines. Curated by Romy Cockx, the show demonstrates how surrealism has influenced fashion design, highlighting the intersection of fashion and art, and Man Ray’s role as a true bridge between both worlds.

all images by Matthias De Boeck, courtesy of MoMu – Fashion Museum Antwerp

the experimental, surrealist approach of Man Ray

Man Ray was a renowned artist of the 1920s New York and Parisian art scene, known for his association with the likes of Marcel Duchamp, Lee Miller, and Kiki de Montparnasse. As an innovator in his field, he revolutionized fashion photography by employing technical ingenuity and humor. His experimental techniques and surrealist approach to fashion photography blurred the boundaries between art and fashion, and his influence can still be seen in the industry today.

To celebrate Ray’s contributions to fashion, MoMu (find more here) presents ‘Man Ray and Fashion’, bringing together the artist’s iconic photography with interbellum fashion silhouettes and contemporary fashion designs inspired by his visionary approach. The exhibition will feature Man Ray’s fashion photography displayed alongside contemporary designs by esteemed fashion designers such as Chanel, Maison Lanvin, Madeleine Vionnet, Norine, Yves Saint Laurent, Martin Margiela, Olivier Theyskens and Dries Van Noten.

the show highlights the enduring influence of Man Ray’s work on contemporary fashion

exploring the intersection of art and fashion

MoMu has curated this exhibition to showcase the interplay between art and fashion, highlighting the enduring influence of Man Ray’s work on contemporary fashion. By presenting these works side by side, MoMu is linking the legendary artist with contemporary fashion, placing his work in a modern context. This exhibition is a unique opportunity to experience the legacy of one of the most exciting figures of the 20th century and to explore the intersection of art and fashion.

The exhibition is co-organized by MoMu and the Réunion des Musées Nationaux – Grand Palais, in partnership with the City of Marseille Museums. The fashion photography of Man Ray was previously presented at the Musée Cantini and Chateau Borély, Marseille, from November 2019 to March 2020, then at the Musée du Luxembourg, Paris, from September 2020 to January 2021.

the exhibition features Ray’s photography displayed alongside contemporary designs by esteemed fashion designers

Lee Miller, 1930 and Lee Miller with a Painted Face, c. 1930