Dutch Fashion Design at the Barbican

The House of Viktor & Rolf - Dutch fashion design arrives at the Barbican 18 June 2008 - 21 September 2008 at Barbican Art Gallery. If you are planning to get married visit The Barbican and Get inspiration for a couture wedding dress at The House of Viktor & Rolf at the Barbican

This summer Barbican Art Gallery showcases the work of Dutch fashion designers Viktor & Rolf. This is the first time in the United Kingdom that an exhibition has been devoted to this highly influential duo. Over the past 15 years Viktor & Rolf have taken the fashion world by storm with their particular blend of cool irony and surreal beauty.

The House of Viktor & Rolf presents each of the designer's signature pieces from 1992 to now, shown in a specially commissioned and characteristically theatrical installation that dominates the entire Gallery. Highlights include pieces from Atomic Bomb, 1998-99, featuring dramatic mushroom cloud-like cushioned necklines and Russian Doll, 1999-2000, in which a single model was painstakingly dressed by Viktor & Rolf until she was gasping under 70 kilogrammes of exquisite haute couture. For the collection Bells, 2000-2001, models emerged from a smoke-filled space in clothes embroidered with hundreds of brass bells, so they were heard before they could be seen.

Milan, Fashion Capital of Italy!

Milan is the business, fashion and design capital of Italy, with numerous fashion and trade fairs in the Rho` district of the city (previously held in the Fiera district). It is also Italy's second largest and richest city. The city is split into 9 zones and full of beautiful architecture, lively nightlife and many museums and exhibitions. As Milan is based in the very north of Italy, Switzerland is only a short distance by train, so worth a day trip if visiting the city. The stunning scenery of Lake Como and Lake Lecco is also worth a day trip and again a very short journey by train.

Centro Storico (the historical centre) is full of life, with many things to see and do. In this area you will find the huge Piazza Duomo and Duomo Cathedral, (see above photo) the castle Castello Sforzesco, the world renowned opera house La Scala, and stunning shopping gallery, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.(see below photo). Also, just a few minutes walk away from Piazza Duomo, are Via della Spiga, and Via Montenapoleone, two of the most famous influential fashion streets possibly in the whole world. These streets are richly concentrated with fashion designers, jewellers and furriers. Every designer imaginable has a shop or two in these streets: Armani, Iceberg, Luois Vitton, Dior, Bottega Veneta, to name just a small handful. When Milan holds fashion trade fairs at numerous times of the year, these streets can be seen full of people from the fashion industry (designers, manufacturers, buyers etc) both day and night, visiting the shops and shop windows observing what new fashions 'are in',getting new ideas and looking at the impressive window displays..

Fashion Based University Trips to the Birthplace of Style

Situated on the River Seine in the north-central part of France lies the country's capital city of Paris. It is possible that Paris has been inhabited from as long ago as 4,200 B.C. and its history is long and convoluted. During various periods, the city has been known as a city of commerce, architecture, education, culture, and fashion, just to name a few, and today it is well known as one of the most important international hubs of Europe.

University trips to Paris can take you to a variety of interesting places in the city, but no matter where you go, you cannot ignore the fashion sense of the Parisian people. If you are studying fashion and its influence on culture, there are few better cities in the world to visit. While you are in Paris, be sure to dress well and visit The Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent, the Louis Vuitton Museum, and the Carrousel du Louvre.

The Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent - Located at 5 Avenue Marceau, the Yves St Laurent Foundation was founded to 'prolong the history of the house of Yves St Laurent, whose Haute Couture operations ceased on 31 October 2002.' University trips to Paris will take students through the foundation, which traces the fashions of Yves Saint Laurent who, through his 40 years of creating fashions, reflected the ways in which society functioned. The Foundation preserves and curates over 15,000 accessories, assorted designs and sketches, as well as conserving the 5,000 Haute Couture gowns designed by Yves Saint Laurent himself.

Louis Vuitton Museum - University trips that take lucky students to Paris to explore the fashion and history of the city should head about 30 minutes out of the city centre to Asnières, where the Louis Vuitton workshop is located. Here, students can explore an exhibit that is dedicated to the history of Louis Vuitton, observing the behind the scenes production for the instantly recognisable trunks and bags, and even see a tea case made for a Maharaja. With more than 100 years of history behind the brand of Louis Vuitton, the museum showcases well over 100 cases, purses and accessories that highlight the fashion house's most important and iconic designs that have persisted throughout the years. But, as this museum is not normally open to the public, you must book well ahead for the special tours to see inside.