Featuring the iconic designs of Alexander McQueen, Diane von Furstenberg, Bob Mackie, Zandra Rhodes, Stella McCartney, Mary Katrantzou, Todd Oldham and more

What: “Faux Real: Fashion Inspired by Nature,” a clothing exhibition featuring ensembles from the University of North Texas’ Texas Fashion Collection

When: March 4–May 5.  A public tour will be held on April 27 (Saturday) at 11 a.m. Other tour opportunities are available by request at tfc@unt.edu.

Where: Level One between Neiman Marcus and Dillard’s, NorthPark Center, 8687 N Central Expy., Dallas.

Hours: See http://www.northparkcenter.com/hours

Cost: Free

Parking: Free parking available at NorthPark Center. 

Background: Natural AND fashionable? The University of North Texas Texas Fashion Collection connects high fashion to the natural world in its exhibition, “Faux Real: Fashion Inspired by Nature.”

As part of a continued partnership with NorthPark Center in Dallas, the Texas Fashion Collection shares its extensive permanent collection with the public in NorthPark Center’s arts-focused space.  While the TFC includes nearly 20,000 historic and designer garments and accessories, this exhibition highlights 15 examples from the past 60 years. The garments represent popular natural motifs – cheetah print, snakeskin, and feathers – with ensembles by Texas-born designer Todd Oldham, British textile designer Zandra Rhodes, and a digitally printed dress by Alexander McQueen.

“Ranging from early faux fur capes to contemporary ensembles recreating natural motifs, the featured garments connect our clothing to the world around us,” said Annette Becker, director of the UNT Texas Fashion Collection. 

Fashion designers take a variety of paths in exploring their relationship to the natural world. All of the featured ensembles are constructed of vegetarian materials. Some designers use convincing synthetic materials to create the feeling of luxurious fur or leather. Others employ digital technologies to create new motifs that draw inspiration from nature, often offering commentary about social or environmental issues.

About the UNT Texas Fashion Collection
The Texas Fashion Collection is part of the College of Visual Arts and Design at the University of North Texas. Housed at the UNT’s main campus in Denton, this unique repository collects and documents historic dress and high fashion from past centuries through the present. The Texas Fashion Collection was created by a variety of notable groups and individuals whose vision and style continue to inspire students, researchers, and visitors. The UNT College of Visual Arts and Design fosters creative futures for its diverse student population through rigorous arts-based education, studio practice, scholarship, and research. For a listing of the TFC exhibitions and programming, including access to digital records of its collection, visit the TFC website at tfc.unt.edu and connect with the TFC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TexasFashionCollection and on Instagram at @texasfashioncollection.