The Costume Institute's special exhibition, "Masterworks: Unpacking Fashion," will open at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on November 18th. The exhibition will feature a selection of valuable historical garments acquired over the past decade. Approximately 60 pieces, spanning from the early 18th century to the present, will be displayed chronologically in wooden shipping crates, as if they had just arrived at the museum. Newly acquired pieces will be paired with older acquisitions, highlighting their influences, such as a 1964 Cristóbal Balenciaga gown paired with a Maison Margiela dress designed by John Galliano in 2015. The exhibition's mission is to demonstrate that fashion is a living art that explains history, that it is a part of history, and that it inspires new art. "Fashion is often overlooked because of its short lifespan, but its rapid response to change proves it is an instant expression of the spirit of an era. It vividly reflects social, cultural, and political developments, as well as shifting ideals of beauty," said Jessica Regan, assistant curator of the special exhibition.

The special exhibition will run until February 5, 2017. Works by Japanese designers Rei Kawakubo (COMME des GARÇONS), Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Noritaka Tatehana will be on display.

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