The story of SMUK starts in the eighteenth century: the heyday of the decorated clothing item, and a time in which even gentlemen begin to dress themselves lavishly with embroidered jackets and cardigans. The rococo period is also the time when crafts like le brodeur, le plumassier and le rubanier were described by Diderot and d'Alembert in their Encyclopaedia. These professions were and still are closely linked to exclusivity and luxury within the fashion world and haute couture.
The new exhibition opened from 12/10/2019 at Modemuseum Hasselt is a journey through time in the world of embellishment and decoration, unravelling the technical aspect, the socio-economic story, and the visual and aesthetic value of the creations. SMUK is not only a visual feast for the eyes. The exhibition has a unique way of introducing visitors to the various decoration techniques and their evolution.
