"Beyond Dress Codes", Byron Museum, Cyprus, 09.12 - 05.13
Within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the
European Union, the Laiki Bank Cultural Centre in collaboration with the
Cyprus Fashion Designers Association and the Hellenic American Union
present the exhibition “Beyond Dress Codes: From Traditional Costume to
Contemporary Fashion”.
Clothing is a game of concealment and discovery. Costume functions as a
code of communication: it covers the body while at the same time it
reveals the identity of the person wearing it. Clothes convey
information about a country’s history, customs and traditions, the
social and the economic circumstances of a place and also about the
gender, age and a person’s social status.
The exhibition, curated by fashion historian Lydia Kamitsis,
illustrates a progressive dialogue between traditional costumes and
contemporary fashion. The initial launch of the exhibition in 2010 at
the Hellenic American Union Galleries in Athens and later at the
Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, presented 100 coloured drawings
of Greek traditional costumes by the Greek illustrator Gisis
Papageorgiou along with costumes of well-known Fashion Designers from
Greece and abroad. These drawings, present costumes from various regions
of Greece and constitute the largest and most comprehensive record of
traditional Greek costume. The exhibition that is now presented in
Cyprus, has been enriched by G. Papageorgiou with 40 additional drawings
of Cypriot traditional costumes, as well as creations of 17
contemporary Cypriot fashion designers who were inspired by the Cypriot
traditional costume and Cypriot folk art and seven interpretations of
traditional costumes by the Cypriot artist Lefteris Olympios.
In this way, the Greek and Cypriot traditional costumes are presented
not as the antiquated contents of museum showcases but as sources of
inspiration and creative interest. This concept, will be transmitted to
the youth generation through a prototype and interactive educational
programme “Dress up: Cyprus Style” which is going to be conducted at the
Laiki Bank Cultural Centre. At the same time, the educational programme
includes an independent online game that aims to bring the next
generation in personal contact with the Cypriot folk art and traditional
costume.
The exhibition includes costumes and accessories created by: Atelier
Loukia, Blind Adam by Thanos Kyriakides, Angelos Bratis, Dassios, Deux
Hommes, Yiorgos Eleftheriades, Erotokritos, John Galliano, Jean Paul
Gaultier, Ioannis Guia, Sofia Kokosalaki, Mastori*Motwary Studio,
Charilaos Meletiou, MiRo, Parthenis and Cypriot designers: Kristos
Avraam, Antonia Chambi, Barbara Christofi, Eleni Gircalli, Marios
Gregoriades, Afroditi Hera, Kika Ioannidou, Fotini Lamnissos, Joanna
Louca, Marina Nicolaidou, Pantelis Panteli, Tota Patsalidou, Christina
Pitsillidou, Dora Schabel, Lana Sevas, Elena Strongyliotou, Tita
Stylianou.
The exhibition will be inaugurated by Andreas D. Mavroyiannis,
Deputy Minister to the President for European Affairs, on Thursday, 27th
of September 2012 at 8:00 pm, at the Byron Museum of the Laiki Bank
Cultural Centre, 32 Vyronos Avenue, Nicosia.
Duration of the Exhibition: 27th September 2012 until May 2013
Opening hours: Monday - Friday 10.00-13.00 & 16.00-20.00
Saturday 10.00-14.00
For information: Laiki Bank Cultural Centre
Tel. 22718605, email: culturalcenter@laiki.com |
