A Lesson in Fashion History

(NEW YORK) How to celebrate 20 years at the top? For Christian Lacroix, it's all about getting a retrospective. "Christian Lacroix, Histoires de Mode," tells the story of fashion from the 18th century to the present, straight from Lacroix's mouth.

To prepare for the historic extravaganza, the couturier holed up in the museum's storeroom for months, examining every garment and accessory before conceiving the presentation. "I selected the most inspiring pieces, some of which have never been shown, to recount the history of fashion the best way possible, like the museum curator I would have liked to have become," Lacroix said of the experience. The end result showcases more than 400 garments that have both influenced the history of fashion and his own designs, such as the entirely beaded and embroidered 1930s dresses by Mainbocher, in addition to 80 of Lacroix's own creations. The designer, along with Jean-Michel Bertin, also designed the exhibition space as well as a special mannequin for the event.