ART DECO CHIC GALA - Museum of Vancouver

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

The Art Deco dresses and accessories collections of Co-Curators, Ivan Sayers and Klaus Jahnke are on exquisite display from now until September at the Museum of Vancouver!  I attended the Gala opening amidst the glitter and glamour of 20's - 30's celebrants delighting in the opportunity to dress up, dance the Charleston and meet others fascinated with all things Art Deco.

The excitement around this exhibit will be extended through a series of related events including a Design Challenge - design your own garment, a Curator's Talk and Tour, (1st Thursday of every month), Curator Ivan Sayers on Art Deco, April 5, a High Tea May 12, A Dapper and Flapper Formal,June 8 and a Pou-up Speakeasy (August, TBA) where you can learn how to make Deco Cocktails.

At the Gala, I met film makers, reporters, fellow bloggers, photographers and collectors, including a restorer of mannequins, dancers, value villagers displaying their finds, Kingsgate Mall fancy shoe shopping regulars, street stylers, be-ringed and Mowhawked, costume designers, sweethearts, families and, of course, fans of Ivan Sayers.

The mannequins are almost as dynamic and animated as their viewers.  Adorned with brilliant colors, sequins, belts, buckles, detailed buttons, capes, shawls, and lace, they smile and invite us to step into the past, leaving behind dark skies and bad weather ugs and hoodies.

Want to know more?  Read Sarah Rowland, "Art Deco Glam To Make The Heart Thump Hard", in the Georgia Straight Style, March 15.  Also check out SFU and UBC  Sr. Programs for more fashion history courses taught by Ivan Sayers.  Ivan has exhibited far and wide as well as at VAG and MOV.  How about the next step being a dedicated Fashion History Museum for Vancouver. What a chance to display collections as well as the work of local and up and coming fashion designers, film makers and artists. Fashion, Art, History, Culture - all go together and are alive rather than static.  There is space in Vancouver, in fact, how about the VAG jewel...rumor is that it will be moving....Galas are wonderful!  I plan to relive this one by going to ongoing events at the MOV.  Get up and be moved!

 Photos courtesy of Colleen Tsoukalas