Dezeen Magazine

Gucci Garden exhibition features Björk's dresses

An exhibition celebrating the collaboration between Gucci and Icelandic musician Björk has opened in the Gucci Garden museum in Florence.

Curated by critic Maria Luisa Frisa, the inaugural exhibition at the Gucci Garden explores the collaboration between Björk and Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele – who designed the musician's gowns for her music video The Gate.

Gucci Garden pays homage to Björk in new exhibition
Featured in the music video for The Gate, the dress is made from pink organza and tulle with ruched sleeves

The exhibition features the two dresses designed by Michele for the music video, as well as two bespoke masks created by artist James Merry for the film.

The first item in the exhibition is a custom gown that features iridescent ruffles made from five meters of pleated PVC material and 20 meters of pleated organza, crêpe de chine and silk jersey.

Gucci Garden pays homage to Björk in new exhibition
The custom garment, which features iridescent ruffles, took 550 hours to make and 320 hours to embroider

Described by Björk as "a stubborn light beam of hope" in the middle of "a lot of darkness", the garment was crafted last year. It took 550 hours to make and 320 hours to embroider.

The second gown – also featured in The Gate music video – is made from pink organza and tulle with ruched sleeves.

Elsewhere, there is a range of footwear designed by Michelle, including a pair of iridescent leather ankle boots with removable platforms and silver ballerina flats.

Gucci Garden pays homage to Björk in new exhibition
The exhibition also features two bespoke masks created by artist James Merry for The Gate

To complete the exhibition are two headpieces designed by Merry for The Gate, which feature organic shapes made from thermoplastic or silicone.

There is also a series of books connected to the music video, as well as a range of books, catalogues and magazines about Björk selected by the curator to be sold in the Gucci Garden's gift shop.

Gucci Garden pays homage to Björk in new exhibition
The headpiece features a silicone structure that Merry painted by hand

Gucci Garden was opened during Pitti Uomo January 2018 as a space to exhibit the brand's vintage and contemporary pieces.

Earlier this year, Gucci moved into new headquarters at a former aircraft manufacturing facility in Milan, which includes a glazed tower wrapped in metal sunscreens to the rows of brick-clad hangars.

Björk spoke to Dezeen about the sets and costumes for her Utopia world tour, which were inspired by classic Icelandic paintings and summer nights.