Silk gown with ikat motifs made by Oscar de la Renta for Pierre Balmain ca 1998
Courtesy Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
You see the ikat design on everything from tablewear to jeans. How this came about is in part the subject of a new show at the Smithsonian’s Sackler gallery. Ikat is made from tie dyed bundles of threads, often silk, woven in narrow strips to create the characteristic patterning. Among the great examples of this skills art are the ikats made in multi-ethnic 19 century Central Asia. The finished ikats were transformed into brightly coloured and sumptuous robes for men and women and these works of art have long been collected by connoisseurs.
This show draws on a collection donated by Guido Goldman to the museum. Alongside are garments made by the late Oscar de la Renta, who incorporated ikat motifs into gowns made for Pierre Balmain.
Until July 29th at the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington DC, USA
