HDI Exhibition tip: “Isabelle de Borchgrave: Fashioning Art from Paper”, The Society of the Four Arts, Palm Beach, FL

Fashion lovers and costume historians rejoice. The exhibit “Isabelle de Borchgrave: Fashioning Art from Paper” at The Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach, Florida was an absolute treat! Five hundred years of fashion were explored in the breathtaking art of Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave. Working in collaboration with leading costume historians and fashion designers, de Borchgrave crafts a world of splendor from the simplest rag paper. Painting and manipulating the paper, she forms trompe l’oeil masterpieces of elaborate dresses inspired by rich depictions found in early European paintings or by iconic costumes in museum collections around the world. Rarely seen in the U.S., this exhibition presented quintessential examples in the history of costumes—from Renaissance finery of the Medici family and gowns worn by Elizabeth I and Marie- Antoinette to the creations of the grand couturiers Frederick Worth, Paul Poiret, Christian Dior, and Coco Chanel. Included in her large body of work were objects from her “Ballet Russe” collection, and particular attention was given to the creations and studio of Mariano Fortuny, the eccentric early 20th-century artist who is both a major source of inspiration to de Borchgrave and a kindred spirit. Sadly the exhibit closed on April 15th, 2018, but we wanted to share the spectacular work and our favorite photos with you. Enjoy!