This year, The Costume Institute exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art featured two Christopher Kane looks including the iconic Spring Summer 2014 petal sweater and hand embroidered skirt that was created using a combination of both hand and machine made processes, and the Spring Summer 2013 look that featured a machine made jelly skirt.

Throughout each collection, Christopher Kane employs unique signature techniques and details that celebrate the union of man-made and machine-made, including the safety buckle clasp, lace and embroidery fabrics and Swarovski crystals.

Made in Italy, the iconic Christopher Kane safety buckle reflects the original design first introduced in Christopher Kane’s MA graduate collection. The safety buckle has been re-engineered in both nylon and metal materials, whilst still maintaining the original hourglass shape that defines the signature hardware. Each piece is injection molded and finished by hand.

The use of Swiss lace and embroidery has become a signature to the brand and is frequently featured and referenced throughout past and present collections. Made in Switzerland, each piece of lace is bespoke machine embroided using original artwork, specially programed for Christopher Kane.

Since the iconic Swarovski crystal bolsters and crystal mesh fabric that featured in Christopher Kane’s MA collection, Swarovski crystals continue to be utilized across both ready-to-wear and accessories, and have become a signature design feature of the brand.

Image credit: Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

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Costume Institute Spring Exhibition: “Manus x Machina”