An exquisitely illustrated examination of the influence of fashion, as conceived and performed by Olivier Saillard and Tilda Swinton. Impossible Wardrobes documents three groundbreaking exhibitions poetically brought to life.
[...]
Serving as part fashion object, part catalog, and part artist book, this work not only consists of the sole record of these critically acclaimed sold-out performances—that were by their very nature ephemeral artworks—but also serves as a unique survey of the Palais Galliera’s extraordinary collection of iconic clothing. This lavish three-book set presents the three performance pieces that spanned a period of three years. In The Impossible Wardrobe (2012), Swinton walks down a runway with a selection of historically and culturally significant garments from the past 200 years. In Eternity Dress (2013), a garment is tailor-made in front of a live audience. And in the third performance in the series, Cloakroom (2014), Swinton examines the special relationship between an item of clothing and its owner. A glorious ode to fashion, Impossible Wardrobes presents and elevates couture to a veritable art form.