On Thursday night Mr Man and I went to the opening of the new exhibition at The McManus. Entitled Selling Dreams: 100 Years of Fashion Photography, the exhibition is a look back at fashion photography and how photographs and styles have changed over the years.
On display are images from the some of the greatest photographers in the world, from Richard Avedon and Norman Parkinson (more on him next week) to David Bailey and Rankin. The exhibition flows well (chronologically) and explains how, as the times changed, so did the fashions and techniques. For example, when the liberal 1960s hit, fashion became less about the rich, upper class society and more about the young girls on the high street wearing Mary Quant minis. In turn, photographers became more relaxed, moving from studios to the streets in search of movement and images that felt “real”.
The Selling Dreams exhibition explains the different eras and photographers from the late 1800s right up to the present day. It makes for a very interesting show, one that will appeal to most people, regardless of whether or not they are enthusiastic about fashion or photography. Put simply, some of the images are breathtaking; so much so, that you will find yourself thinking about them long after you have visited The McManus. Which means only one thing – to put your mind at rest, you’ll have to return for a second viewing.
The Selling Dreams: 100 Years of Fashion Photography exhibition is at The McManus from 28th September 2012 until 6th January 2013 as part of the V&A Dundee project.
