Designed to look both like a gallery and a boutique, the specially constructed installation inside the Triennale - created in collaboration with Italian designer Alberto Biagetti - features works created by 40 creatives hailing from the fields of art, architecture, design and fashion, many of whom have produced garments that are actually not meant to be worn. Instead, they serve a role as bizarre or indeed thought-provoking encounters, thereby transporting visitors away from their mere functionality as clothing.

Some of the ‘fashion artworks’ on display get straight to the point, as seen for example in Vivienne Westwood’s lumberjack ‘costume’ (complete with a shiny axe for wood chopping purposes). Others are more enigmatic or indeed surreal, such as Angela Missoni’s ‘uniform for a dreamer’ or the ‘cloud hunter’ dress by Antonio Marras. The most controversial piece in the entire exhibition however has to be Issey Miyake’s coat, pants and boots set, which is made out of gold foil and is meant for the exhausted African immigrants docking, in their infamous boats, at the Italian island of Lambedusa. 

A definite must-see before the frenzy of fashion-week month begins, the ‘Abiti di Lavoro - Workwear’ exhibition offers much food for thought for all fashion lovers out there and will be on display at the Triennale di Milano until 31 August 2014.

Participating artists:
Afran, Rodrigo Almeida, Alberto Aspesi, Gentucca Bini, Denise Bonapace, Andrea Branzi, Nacho Carbonel, Klaudio Cetina, Cano, CoopHimelblau, Dea Curic, Nathalie Du Pasquier, Elio Fiorucci, Matteo Guarnaccia, Nuala Goodman, Daniele Innamorato, Mella Jaarsma, Toshiyuiki Kita, Guda Koster, Colomba Leddi, Antonio Marras, Franco Mazzucchelli, Alessandro Mendini, Angela Missoni, Issey Miyake, Amba Molly, Frédérique Morrel, Margherita Palli, Lucia Pescador, Bertjan Pot, Clara Rota, Andrea Salvetti, Nanni Strada, Tarshito Strippoli, Faye Toogood, Otto von Busch, Vivienne Westwood , Allan Wexler, Erwin Wurm, Melissa Zexter.