At D’NA we not only strive to inspire our members, but also create an environment that encourages individuals to explore fashion history and culture.
During our buying trips to New York, Milan and Paris, we make it a point to visit museums and costume exhibitions to broaden our knowledge of creative talents and movements that continue to influence fashion today.
Amongst our favorite shows this year were the stunning Madame Grès exhibit at Paris' Musée Bourdelle, the MET’s homage to Alexander McQueen, and the V&A’s retrospective on the work of Yohji Yamamoto.
To celebrate our 5th anniversary, we decided to look back on the pioneers who helped shape the Saudi fashion scene. The earliest amongst them was Parveen Shaath, who began traveling to Europe in the late 50’s to purchase gowns from the leading designers of the era. Today many of the names that populate her extensive archive are no longer in existence, yet they offer a tantalizing slice of fashion history; one that chronicles the Kingdom's earliest links to the Western fashion world.
Preparation for the exhibition began months in advance, as we collaborated with So Passé to bring Parveen Shaath’s story to life. Going through racks of carefully stored garments we selected pieces with unique design features that encapsulated a specific era. Each was then dressed on a mannequin and photographed with accompanying notes.
Examining archival photographs from Shaath’s private collection, we picked images that captured a specific era and complemented the clothes on display.
While designing the exhibition, careful thought was put into the display of garments and the images. Custom wood cases were built, while special mannequins were ordered for each of the garments.
We hope you will visit D’NA to experience this unique show that includes a rotating selection of 20 dresses from September 2011-February 2012
