Innovative perspectives on historical fashion
The starting point for the exhibition is the experimental research project "Virtual Couture. 3D Digital Reconstruction and Animation", funded by digiS Berlin. The central question was: How can the sensual experience of fashion ? materiality, movement, sound ? be transferred to the digital realm? The objects in the collection include a chemise dress from the late 18th century, designs by Gabrielle Chanel and Jeanne Lanvin from the 1920s and a haute couture dress by Madame Gr¨¨s from the 1970s. Three-dimensional reconstructions were created on the basis of precise measurements and historical research, allowing visitors to virtually recreate the dynamics and material effects of the historical objects.

Design contribution from the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
Students from the Department of Design at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam developed the design concept for the exhibition under the direction of Prof. Hermann Weizenegger. This includes the spatial scenography concept, a standardised visual language and the textual communication, which embeds the digital models and artistic works in a coherent narrative. Their contribution makes a significant contribution to bringing the fusion of historical fashion and contemporary technology to life both visually and in terms of content.

Stil-Lupe: Historical Clothing in Detail
Another contribution from the Department of Design was created as part of the course "Stil-Lupe: Historische Kleidung en Detail" (Product Design SoSe 2024), led by Prof. Hermann Weizenegger and Dr. Sabine de G¨¹nther. The students explored the history and museum presentation of historical clothing, which is often restricted by conservation requirements. In close cooperation with the textile collection of the Kunstgewerbemuseum Berlin, five dress models from the late 18th to the 20th century were analysed and examined in their historical context. Based on this research, the students developed experimental design objects that contrast the historical exhibits with contemporary perspectives. These works open up a creative dialogue between past and present and at the same time create a link to other areas of the museum's collection.

Artistic positions and digital fashion visions
In addition to the digital reconstructions, artistic projects are shown that reinterpret historical fashion in their very own way: For example, in his work "On the trail of floral design" , Oliver Lehmann uses 3D printing to make the embroidery of a chemise dress from the collection tangible, giving an ornamental detail a physical presence. Lucie Behrens and Veronika Strasser bring the atmosphere of a dance evening in 1920s Paris to life with their animation "Une soir¨¦e Chanel" . The basis for this is a series of riso prints whose patterns dance rhythmically to the music in animated sequences. Another example is "The Queen's Chess ", designed by Moran Marlina Dori, a chess game in which textile and glass design elements materialise and narratively charge the characteristics of a fashion designer.

The exhibition is the result of intensive collaboration between an interdisciplinary team:

• Dr. Katrin Lindemann, Curator of Fashion, Textiles and Jewellery at the Kunstgewerbemuseum of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
• Dr. Sabine de G¨¹nther, art and clothing scientist at the UCLAB of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and at the Museum of Decorative Arts
• Dipl.-Des. Andrea D?ring, designer for digital fashion visualisations

"Virtual Couture" impressively demonstrates how digital technologies can contribute to creating new forms of cultural experience. The close cooperation between the university, museum and creative industries opens up new ways of not only preserving fashion history, but also actively rethinking it ? in a sensual, experimental and future-oriented way.

When: 20^th of June to the 14^th of September 2025
Where: Kunstgewerbemuseum (KGM)
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Kulturforum Berlin
Johanna-und-Eduard-Arnhold-Platz / Math?ikirchplatz
10785 Berlin