Take on a visual feast as Brooklyn Museum takes you to see the details of the royal wedding dress and The Queen’s Gambit epic costumes.
If you couldn’t get enough of the British Monarchy, Brooklyn Museum launches its first virtual show where you can zoom in on the clothing in The Crown and the astonishing costumes in the chess-playing drama series, The Queen’s Gambit. Together with Netflix, the museum created this immersive concept. It takes you into a 360-degree view of the garments, allowing you to drool over the magnificent details of each piece. You can also learn more about the history of the pieces and the work that went through making it. Even if you are not a fan of period dramas, the mere virtual experience is beyond thrilling.
The Queen’s dresses
The exhibit gives a visual treat with the epic costumes featured in The Queen’s Gambit. Apart from taking the fashion trends of the 1950s and early 1960s, the clothes captured the sensibilities of Beth Harmon, the orphan turned chess player in the series. The drama’s costume designer, Gabriele Binder, envisioned translating Beth’s descent into addiction with the clothes she wore. Referencing Saint Laurent and Pierre Cardin, Gabriele worked with fabrics and designs that reflect the glamor, fun, and the eventual despair and madness of Beth’s life.
Beyond the latest series’ costumes, the exhibit’s highlights include the clothes in The Crown. With season 4 around the corner, everyone is anticipating to witness Emma Corrin who plays the late Princess Diana and the style icon’s famous ensembles. Of course, the pièce de résistance is Diana’s wedding dress. With a 25-foot train, puffed sleeves, and exquisite embroidery, the silk taffeta gown has to be perfectly recreated for the virtual showcase. The result? You must navigate and see for yourself.
Stretching boundaries
Staged on a virtual version of the Beaux-Arts Court, the exhibit allows for much movement both from the curators and the viewers’ perspective. From the use of extensive natural light to the disregard for unnecessary details like elevating the clothes on platforms, the concept gives a more flexible display and way of viewing. People can freely click on any of the 21 garments and their accessories and get caught by the details. There are no limitations on getting up-close unlike in physical museum visits.
With all the detailed plans in executing this virtual showcase, it goes to show how technology moves beyond the boundaries of interacting and connecting with art. The pandemic isn’t stopping people from learning and appreciating masterpieces, especially in the world of fashion, culture, and the narratives of empowered women featured in the two Netflix series.
