Plumes and Feathers

Feathers have remained a constant within costume and design – from the Elizabethan court to contemporary figures such as Alexander McQueen – their symbolism, use and effect has altered drastically over the course of history, particularly in the 20th century.

An exhibition that opened at MoMu in Antwerp - Plumes and Feathers in Fashion. Curated by Karen Van Godtsenhoven, the exhibition displays garments created by designers including Cristóbal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Dries Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester. "Feathers are always used to express something," says Van Godtsenhoven. Alexander McQueen’s work is most evident. Feathers and birds were a recurring motif within his collections, with the designer acknowledging their influence upon his work. “Birds in flight fascinate me," he said in the December 2007 edition of Numéro magazine. "I admire eagles and falcons. I’m inspired by a feather but also its color, its graphics, its weightlessness and its engineering. It’s so elaborate. In fact I try and transpose the beauty of a bird to women.”

A white feathered garment from Alexander McQueen's autumn/winter 2009 collection
IMAGE François Nars