2009 03 30 - Christian Lacroix the costumier @ National Museum

Organised by Centre National du Costume de Scène, Moulins, France and Artex Art Services
Venue Exhibition Gallery 1 & The Canyon
Date FRI 20 MAR 2009 – SUN 7 JUN 2009 10:00am – 6:00pm

The virtuoso haute couture designer Christian Lacroix, who is known for defining the look of the 1980s with its bright colours and extravagant embellishments, presents his splendid costume design work of 20 years for the ballet, theatre and opera in this exclusive exhibition.

Lacroix's inspiration for productions such as Carmen, Gaité Parisienne, Othello, Cosi Fan Tutte and Phèdre are eclectic, drawing from a wide variety of sources, and are at once historical and yet modern.

In Asia for the very first time, close to 80 spectacular costumes and 60 sketches from the collection of the Centre National du Costume de Scène (National Stage Costume Centre, Moulins, France) and from Lacroix’s personal collection, will take stage at the National Museum of Singapore from March to June 2009.


Christian Lacroix has never been one for functionality – criticised in the 1980s for not making clothes suitable for the working woman, his attitude to fashion is anything but utilitarian. But, let’s face it, when has great fashion ever been functional? Judging by the newest exhibition of Lacroix’s couture stage costumes at the National Museum of Singapore– Lacroix’s legacy of Franco-frippery seems to have made its mark.

With his pedigree firmly rooted in theatrical costume design, the exhibition is a chronographic celebration of Lacroix’s numerous forays into the world of the stage.

With 80 pieces and over 60 sketches (on loan from the Centre National de Costume de Scéne in Paris) on show, the exhibition provides a comprehensive picture of Lacroix’s prolific talent.

Having collaborated on productions from Othello to Carmen, Lacroix’s decadent embellishments, period influences and extravagant use of colour prove that the man behind the brand has never allowed the fashion industry to constrain his creativity.

Alongside the exhibition, the National Museum of Singapore will be hosting a curatorial lecture and an operatic performance in honour of the costumier. This is set to be the first international showing of the seminal collection - the primary part of a new media co-operation programme, taking place between France and Singapore.