The Met's China: Through the Looking Glass

DK Display and Bonaveri create bespoke Schläppi Mannequins for the Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibit: "China: Through the Looking Glass"

Custom Schlappi 2200/3200 Mannequins used in the exhibit

"Presented in the Museum's Chinese Galleries and Anna Wintour Costume Center, the exhibition explores the impact of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. In this collaboration between The Costume Institute and the Department of Asian Art, high fashion is juxtaposed with Chinese costumes, paintings, porcelains, and other art, including films, to reveal enchanting reflections of Chinese imagery."

(Left) haute couture from the House of Givenchy (Right) Craig Green ensemble

Working closely with the Costume Institute, the team at DK Display and Bonaveri created over 100 bespoke mannequins for the exhibition. Featureless heads in addition to an all new petite version of the Schläppi 2200 collection have been developed exclusively for the exhibit. The Schläppi mannequins used throughout the exhibit illustrate the collection's ability to participate not only in a retail environment but in a gallery setting as well.

(Left) Steppe coat and Mademoiselle dress by Paul Poiret (Right) Gold Lamé Evening Gown by Guo Pei

Due to it's increasing popularity, The Metropolitan Museum of Art has extended the exhibit through September 7th. Spanning over 30,000 square feet and featuring 16 galleries this is the largest exhibit in the Costume Institute's history. After 13 weeks, attendance records exceed over 500,000 visitors pacing closely with the 2011 record breaking exhibit, "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" which DK Display and Bonaveri also created custom mannequins for.

We are proud to be a part of these two extraordinary exhibits.

Chinese Galleries, Frances Young Tang Gallery, Blue and White Porcelain featuring an evening dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen