Wearing my orange blazer with a blue and white striped shirt to the exposition Titanic & Fashion at the Kunstmuseum (Art Museum) in The Hague. Marjolein and I have been intrepid explorers, so again you’ll find a large number of photos in this post. I promise you, there will be posts with less photos and less things to tell.

Looking at old dresses on mannequins is not really my thing. After having been to a few exhibitions of late fashion designers, I decided it is not for me. I went to the Kunstmuseum not knowing what was being featured, but it was nice and well done.

As I was a bit puzzled by what I saw, I’ll give you the museum introduction so you know what to expect.

The exhibition features original costumes from the 1997 Titanic film, as well as garments and accessories dating from the 1910s. Combined with pieces by contemporary designers such as Iris van Herpen, the exhibition shows the fashions of over a century ago, while also reflecting on the here and now. The Titanic period has similarities with our world today: an unbridled confidence in technology, liberation movements, class inequality and waves of migration. A time filled with threats of war, in which we are dancing on the edge of the volcano.
Alas.

Let me start with the stunning Art Deco building itself designed by architect H.P. Berlage.

Below: The entrance.

Below: The hall ground floor.

Below: It is such a fantastic building, an exhibit in itself. I couldn’t resist photographing the door handles.

Below: In front of part of the building which is far too light in this photo with the sun blasting on it.

Below: We were searching for shadow spots. You have seen the shirt in this post. And the oversized orange blazer has been featured many times.

When I saw the photo above, I realised I was wearing the wrong jeans with this outfit.

Below: This is how I styled it. These jeans are tighter around the thighs as the one I wore for the shoot, which means the proportions look better. As I say: “Oh well…”

We went inside and started our tour.

Below: The tailored suit on the left was worn by Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater in the 1997 film Titanic.

Below: Embarking the Titanic.

Below: It will come as no surprise that there was a big difference in clothes of the rich and clothes of the poor. The camel skirt suit (left) had my attention.

Below: And especially the collar of the blouse. Wow.

Below: Clothes worn by the poorer members of society (third class in Titanic) are barely represented in the collection. If you did not have much, you would wear what you had day in, day out, until it was threadbare.

Below: The clothes of the rich have been preserved a lot better, although some (most?) are replicates of course. Even the rich had their garments regularly altered as expensive fabrics were too valuable to discard.

Below: These were called gowns with hobble skirts. Would that have been the fashion in 1912 or would it have been the result of an alteration? Love the term hobble skirt; it speaks for itself.

Below: The mannequin clearly hasn’t got enough bosom to fill this dress. It was made for the actress who played Molly Brown in the film Titanic (see the insert photo at the bottom right). The character Molly Brown was based on Margaret Tobin-Brown of the USA who survived the Titanic disaster in 1912. She was s philanthropist and women’s rights activist.

Below: The Laroche family, another sad, sad story. I quote:
“Joseph Philippe Laroche (1886-1912) was the only known black passenger on board the Titanic. He was born in Haiti and studied engineering in France, where he met his wife Juliette Lafargue. Because discrimination made it difficult for him to find work there, the family decided to move to Haiti. The journey aboard the Titanic proved fatal for Joseph. Juliette and her two daughters survived the ship’s disaster. Juliette was pregnant at the time. She returned with her daughters for good to France, where her son Joseph was born, named after his father.”

Below: Newspaper article.

Below: A sporty outfit.

Below: Shoes worn in the film Titanic.

So far the exhibition Titanic and Fashion.

I only took two photos of the contemporary fashion.
Below: Two dresses by Iris van Herpen, our Dutch Haute Couture fashion genius.

There is more art to come after our lunch in the building’s big inner space.

Below: Marjolein, looking terrific.

Below: The view from our table.

Below: I love sitting on a table. Finally wearing my blue boots a bit more.

Below: Close-up of the Delft blue earrings by Lara Design.

Below: Hanging in this big space is the Strandbeest (Beach Beast) by Theo Jansen, an incredible contraption. This is an elaborate execution.

The Beach Beast ‘walks’ on the beach as the name indicates. I highly recommend you to see how, by watching this YouTube video. There are many Beach Beast varieties and it will take your breath away.

Below: Marjolein in an outfit created from her own wardrobe. Love it. Through the window behind her we saw another exhibition.

Below: This is Fallen Tree Section by a female artist called Lois Dodd. I really like her style.

Below: Echinacea and Orange Dahlia 2006 by Lois Dodd.

Below: Bee approaching Touch me nots, 2006 by Lois Dodd.

Below: This one from 1972, by Lois Dodd is called Red Curtain, Day Window. It is our favourite.

That was not all the Kunstmuseum had to offer but there is only so much you can take in. We decided to go to a café and have a drink.

Below: On our way to the café we saw two houses worthwhile showing you. We know you love them.

Below: To end this long post, here is one photo I took at half past 7 in the morning. I do think the photo assignments succeeded in their goal, they have trained my photographer’s eye a bit.
I took many more black and white / contrast photos, but it is going to be too much to show them too. You must be tired by now.

Greetje