New exhibition: ‘OCEANISTA – Fashion & The Sea'

From sailor collars, nautical stripes and sweaters to creations by leading international designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel and Iris van Herpen. For at least a century, seafaring and the ocean have been some of the greatest sources of inspiration in fashion. In its new exhibition, The Maritime Museum of Denmark sheds light on nautical influences in the world of fashion. The exhibition brings together high fashion and maritime craftmanship framed by the seafaring history behind it all. As the museum’s largest special exhibition ever, ‘OCEANISTA – Fashion & The Sea’ is a celebration of the ocean, seafaring and craftmanship.

”The Maritime Museum of Denmark tells the stories of ships and their cargos as well as the impact of seafaring on our culture and identity. Most Danes have a striped top in their wardrobe or an old family photo of a boy in a sailor suit. The fashion industry has raided the visual culture of seafaring and has brought maritime traditions and craftmanship right into our wardrobes and everyday lives. But also, into the major fashion houses. This is the story we wish to share,” says Ulla Tofte, CEO of the Maritime Museum of Denmark.

The exhibition presents heritage sailor sweaters as well as spectacular works by international superstars such as Iris van Herpen and her ‘Bubble Dress’ made of more than a thousand handblown glass balls. OCEANISTA casts a broad net an includes world renowned fashion houses to emerging new talents in art and design. In this way, it appeals to everyone who appreciates craftmanship or dreams of experiencing the creations of some of the greatest fashion designers up close.

One of the stars of the exhibition is milliner Philip Treacy who has created hats for the likes of Queen Elizabeth and Lady Gaga. The hat in the exhibition is a work of art in itself. It references France in the 1770s, when Marie Antoinette and other stylish ladies wore elaborate hairdos with ships to honor the war efforts of the French Navy against the British. In this way, maritime history is visible all over the exhibition and in fashion. As described by fashion scholar and curator of the exhibition, Maria Mackinney-Valentin:

“Fashion and seafaring have always had a long, passionate love affair. It is about shared dreams of exotic worlds. About a dedication to craft. A taste for uniforms. And of course, fashion loves a sexy sailor and the aesthetic longevity of the rich cultural history of maritime life.”

The opening of ‘OCEANISTA – Fashion & The Sea’ will open on the 21th of april. The opening has been delayed due to the corona situation. The Maritime Museum of Denmark is the curator of the exhibition with fashion scholar Maria Mackinney-Valentin. Exhibition scenography by Julian Juhlin.

For further information please contact press officer Heidi Vesterberg, hv@mfs.dk, cell +45 26131075