The Met Costume Institute is back with the first part of their two part show, entitled In America. I was lucky enough to be able to see the show in person - there is nothing as delightful as a Friday night at the Met!

Exploring the breadth of American fashion, art, craft and design through nontraditional lenses of themes rather than function, the first part of this show is aptly named, In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.

The show is inspired by, and structured around, a signature quilt from the Met’s American Wing collection that was begun in 1956 by Adeline Harris Sears. Looking at the United States through the context of a mix-up and combination of different cultural and design identities, the quilt serves as a guide through the rest of the show.

Organized into twelve sections of ‘Nostalgia,’ ‘Belonging,’ ‘Delight,’ ‘Joy,’ ‘Wonder,’ ‘Affinity,’ ‘Confidence,’ ‘Strength,’ ‘Desire,’ ‘Assurance,’ ‘Comfort,’ and ‘Consciousness.’ While I absolutely loved the entire thing, there were a few standout pieces, for me.

Prabal Guruing from *In America: A Lexicon of Fashion*

Prabal Guruing is an American fashion designer, born in Singapore to Nepali parents and raised in Kathmandu.

In 1999 he moved from New Delhi, where he was studying fashion and had opened his own small studio, to New York City where he attended Parsons School of Design.

He has since made a name for himself with his bright colors, mix of patterns and feminine silhouettes.

Christopher John Rogers from *In America: A Lexicon of Fashion*

Christopher John Rogers is a Brooklyn-based fashion designer originally from Baton Rouge Louisiana. His gown - which measures nine feet in diameter - is unquestionably a statement making piece.

An emerging American designer, Christopher John Rogers graduated from the fashion program at Savannah College of Art and Design, and a design of his was recently selected by Kamala Harris to be worn on Inauguration Day.

Claude Kameni from *In America: A Lexicon of Fashion*

Claude Kameni’s dramatic mermaid dress represents the word ‘Vitality.’ Originally from Cameroon, Claude Kameni debuted at last years virtual NYFW.

Named one of the most influential Black designers by WWD, Kameni’s work is debuted at the Met here.

Eckhaus Latta from *In America: A Lexicon of Fashion*

Eckhaus Latta designer this wonderfully textured and dimensional garment. Founded by Zoe Latta and Mike Eckhaus in 2011, Eckhaus Latta aims to walk the line between art and fashion.

Showing their work equally to the high fashion world, and in shows at the Hammer Museum in LA and MoMA PS1 in Queens, they work sculpture, fashion and video.

Virgil Abloh from *In America: A Lexicon of Fashion*

And in closing, an unexpected yet enchanting gown from Virgil Abloh. A designer, entrepreneur and DJ, Abloh has been the artistic direction of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection since 2018. He is also the chief executive officer of the Milan-based label, Off White, whose work is in the show.

Originally from Illinois and born to Ghanaian parents, Abloh met Kayne West in 2009 while interning at Fendi in Rome. After working as Kanye West’s creative director for DONDA, Abloh started his own collection, Off White as high-end streetwear, which has found widespread mainstream success.

As a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Met Costume Institute, the show will be up for the entire year, with pieces periodically being moved and swapped out. The next installment, In America: An Anthology of Fashion will open on May 5th 2022.

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