Ensemble

Tomo Koizumi

fall/winter 2019–20 · synthetic fiber · Costume Institute

Seven geometric shapes made of pleated tulle meet each other in this exuberantly colorful silhouette, which, when in movement, evokes the gently rippling flora of a coral reef. The collection was inspired by the arresting op-art aesthetic of performance artist Leigh Bowery as well as the hanawa, a Japanese funerary banner decorated with plastic floral designs. A man-made concoction of synthetic fabric and skillful craftsmanship, this dress embodies Susan Sontag's statement that "Camp is the spirit of extravagance," as she quipped in her 1964 essay Notes on Camp.

Artist

Tomo Koizumi

Date

fall/winter 2019–20

Medium

synthetic fiber

Culture

Japanese

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Purchase, Friends of The Costume Institute Gifts, 2019