Nabholz track jackets and tracksuits, various models from the 1960s to the 1980s, Nabholz Sport AG, photo: Betty Fleck, © ZHdK
For the past number of years, it could be said that all people want is to be surrounded by the newest things, and that a thirst for consumerism is now deeply rooted in our culture, so when an exhibition comes along that makes you stop and think about the importance and significance of the ageing process , you must acknowledge that this could be a show that has the potential to change your life.
“Vintage: Design with a History” opens this Wednesday, 13th November 2013, at the Museum für Gestaltung, Zürich, where the exhibition will present around 100 exceptional vintage pieces from the worlds of fashion, furniture design, and product design.
With more and more focus highlighting the growing demand for “retro-chic” and “vintage style” in recent years, and with vintage fashion label collections often costing more than their current looks, this important and of-the-time exhibition makes the audience question what is it about owning something that has a bit of history attached to it, that makes it so appealing?
As well as featuring actual vintage pieces, the show will also investigate the notion of contradictory ideas that can be tied to this phenomenon, such as artificial or “fake” vintage works, and the merge of vintage models combined with state of the art design.
At “Vintage: Design with a History” you will find a Levi’s worn denim jacket shown next to the most expensive object in the exhibition, “Metal Band Chair” by Marcel Breuer, and an “antique finished” carpet by textile designer Jan Kath displayed not far from a cabinet full of vintage sunglasses from fashion heavyweights such as Versace, Moschino, and Dior. For all of the fashion lovers out there, special attention has also been placed on the role of vintage within the fashion world, with renowned Belgian fashion designer Martin Margiela, being a key figure within this topic.
And because all vintage items start somewhere, a range of vintage workshops will be taking place throughout the duration of the exhibition, turning your plane t-shirts, plates, or picture frames, into personality-filled goodies.
“Vintage: Design with a History” Museum für Gestaltung Zürich 13 November 2013 to 6 April wwww.museum-gestaltung.ch