This exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague explores the historical and contemporary use of indigo blue-dyeing, or shibori, in Japanese and Czech textiles. It showcases traditional techniques alongside their application in modern fashion and art, highlighting the enduring significance of the color blue and its cultural symbolism.
The exhibition "Fashion in Blue: Indigo in Japanese and Czech Textiles – Then and Now" at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague presents a deep dive into the rich heritage and modern relevance of indigo blue-dyeing and shibori techniques. It features historical and contemporary textiles from both Japan and the Czech Republic, demonstrating how these traditional crafts continue to influence current fashion and artistic practices.
Visitors can explore historical yukata from 19th-century Japan alongside contemporary pieces, as well as decorative katagami stencils. The exhibition also delves into the cultural significance of the color blue, often termed "Japan Blue," and its philosophical connotations. It highlights influential artists and designers such as Shihoko Fukumoto and Issey Miyake, showcasing the diverse applications of indigo dyeing across fashion, art, and decorative textiles. The Czech contribution includes Moravian folk costumes, works from the Folk Art Centre (ÚLUV) from the 1960s and 1980s, and contemporary fashion by designers like Liběna Rochová, Pavel Ivančic, Martina Dvořáková, Alice Klouzková, and Monika Drápalová. Textile installations by Adéla Součková and indigo-dyed fabrics by Petra Gupta Valentová further illustrate the versatility of this ancient dyeing method in fine art and contemporary design.