The Most Fashionable Museums

When thinking of museums, reconstructed dinosaur bones and ancient mummies behind glass cases come to mind. However, some museums deliver a different kind of history—fashion history. From Middle Age dress to contemporary couture, these ten museums are a must-see for every fashionista. Dinosaur bones not included.

1. Fondazione Prada, Milan

A cultural institution founded by Miuccia Prada and husband Patrizio Bertelli, the Fondazione Prada examines how different artistic disciplines blend together to enrich the learning process. The Fondazione hosts philosophy symposiums, international film festivals, and celebrates international artists, such as 50 Shades director Sam Taylor-Wood. Feeling hungry? Head to the museum’s Bar Luce, a throwback 1950’s Milanese café designed by Oscar-winner Wes Anderson.

http://www.fondazioneprada.org/

2. Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris

Located in the stylish 16^th arrondissement, the beautiful Frank Gehry-designed glass museum houses contemporary masterpieces, a five-star restaurant, and is the home of the spectacular Louis Vuitton Spring and Fall Fashion Show. The Fondation focuses on 20^th and 21^st century contemporary pieces, featuring pieces by Jeff Koons and the late Jean-Michel Basquiat.

http://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/

3. The Victoria and Albert Museum, London

No trip to London is complete without visiting the V&A Museum, which is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design.  Their costume collection is the most comprehensive in Britain, boasting over 14,000 outfits and accessories by the likes of Mary Quant, Chanel, Dior, and Givenchy. The museum’s crowning piece? The wedding suit King James II wore to wed Mary of Modena in 1673.

http://www.vam.ac.uk/

4. Anna Wintour Costume Center, New York City

Renamed for Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, the Costume Institute, located inside the Metropolitan Museum, may be the most exclusive fashion museum in the world. The exhibit, viewable by appointment only, is funded by the annual Met Gala, where celebrities from around the world dress to the theme of the annual exhibit. Can’t score an appointment? Don’t worry, the Met offers two fashion exhibits open to the public.

http://metmuseum.org/about-the-museum/museum-departments/curatorial-departments/the-costume-institute

5. The Fashion Museum, Bath

While the Fashion Museum has garments dating back to 1600, it is most famous for its annual Dress of the Year Award, where a garment is selected to represent the newest ideas in contemporary fashion. This year’s winner, Gareth Pugh, joins the ranks alongside fashion greats Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, and Karl Lagerfeld.

http://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/

6. Mode Museum, Antwerp

Minutes away from the famed Royal Academy of Fine Arts, MoMu aims to celebrate the best in contemporary Belgian fashion. The museum not only shows pieces by Royal Academy alums Anne Demeulemeester and Dries van Noten, but also features works by current students, giving you a glimpse at Belgium’s future fashion stars.

http://www.momu.be/content/momu/en.html

7. Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris

While the Louvre is most famous for DaVinci’s Mona Lisa, next door in the west wing lies the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, which displays French furniture, tableware, carpets, porcelain, and glass pieces from the 13^th century to present day. Most famous for their “period rooms,” many flock to see the apartment of Lanvin founder Jeanne Lanvin, as well as glass pieces by Lalique.

http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/en/

8. Museo de la Moda, Santiago

What began as a small museum to pay tribute to his family’s cotton business, manufacturing heir Jorge Yarur Bascunan has curated quite the collection at the Museo de la Moda. Between Princess Diana’s evening gowns, the 1962 Chilean World Cup uniforms, and military garments from World War I and II, this museum delivers on diverse fashion history.

http://www.museodelamoda.cl/web/

9. Museo del Traje, Madrid

Not only does the Museo del Traje exhibit some serious fashion, but the building itself is just as fabulous. Winner of the 1969 National Prize in Architecture, the Museo del Traje houses over 160,000 pieces from the Middle Ages to present. Their current exhibit, “Golden Cages,” examines the history of the female silhouette and shapewear.

http://museodeltraje.mcu.es/

10. Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum, Tokyo

Not only is the Bunka Gakuen a costume museum, but it also is a fashion college that has produced fashion greats Kenzo Takada and Yohji Yamomoto. With four themed exhibits a year, the Bunka Gakuen aims to educate guests on the history of Japanese dress. From bright kimonos to royal Japanese court dress, the Bunka Gakuen is rich in cultural history.

http://www.bunka.ac.jp/museum/text/english.html