SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film presents work by Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave

The exhibition celebrates more than 20 years of the renowned artist’s dynamic creations

ATLANTA, GEORGIA — The Savannah College of Art and Design presents Fashioning Art from Paper, a new exhibition at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film featuring work by Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave. The exhibition explores 500 years of fashion history through de Borchgrave’s breathtaking trompe l’oeil masterpieces created over the past two decades. Through her expert manipulation of paper and paint, de Borchgrave forms sculptural replicas of historic garments found in early European paintings and collections around the world.

“From replicas of Renaissance Italian gowns to imaginative modernist costumes of the Ballets Russes, Isabelle de Borchgrave’s paper interpretations of costume and fashion history are meticulously crafted and exquisite to behold,” said Alexandra Sachs, executive director of SCAD FASH and Atlanta exhibitions. “The inspiration for these works came to the artist during a visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art where her imagination was sparked by the historical costumes on display. We hope that this immersive exhibition at SCAD FASH similarly captures the ination of SCAD students and visitors alike, and celebrates her astonishing creativity.”

More than 80 sculptural replicas of garments, shoes, and accessories will be on display — from the Renaissance finery of the Medici family and gowns worn by Queen Elizabeth I, to the creations of the grand couturiers of the 20th century including Charles Frederick Worth and Paul Poiret, as well as Mariano Fortuny, a major source of inspiration for de Borchgrave. The exhibition includes the artist’s series Ballets Russes, which interprets costumes designed by Léon Bakst, Giorgio de Chirico, and Pablo Picasso, as well as her Kaftans series, inspired by the Silk Road textiles of central Asia.

Fashioning Art from Paper is co-organized by SCAD FASH, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Society of the Four Arts, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Frick Art and Historical Center, Baker Museum, and Flint Institute of Arts. SCAD’s presentation marks the final destination for this traveling exhibition, which will be on view at SCAD FASH through Jan. 12, 2020.

About SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film

SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion+ Film celebrates fashion as a universal language, garments as important conduits of identity, and film as an immersive and memorable medium. Situated within the SCAD Atlanta location, SCAD FASH focuses on the future of fashion design, connecting conceptual and historical principles of dress. The museum welcomes visitors of all ages to engage with dynamic exhibitions, captivating films, and enriching events. Supported by the university’s strong global presence and connections to renowned contemporary fashion designers, filmmakers, and creative professionals around the world, SCAD FASH is an integral part of the SCAD educational experience.

Like the award-winning SCAD Museum of Art, SCAD FASH serves as a creative resource for students of all ages and a wellspring of inspiration for visitors. Through programming that engages the university’s broad array of academic disciplines, SCAD FASH offers diverse exhibitions, films, installations, performances, and events to enliven and inspire the greater community year-round. Each program is designed to engage and appeal to visitors with varied backgrounds and interests, from textiles and jewelry to photography and film. Past exhibitions have featured the work of designers Pierre Cardin, Carolina Herrera, Mary Katrantzou, Guo Pei, and Oscar de la Renta. Photographic exhibitions have featured the work of Jonathan Becker, Bill Cunningham, and Omar Victor Diop. Exhibitions are accompanied by curated film series that complement programming. Past films include The First Monday in May, Funny Face, The Leopard, and Ovation for Oscar, among others.

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited university offering more than 100 academic degree programs in more than 40 majors across its locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Hong Kong; Lacoste, France; and online via SCAD eLearning.

SCAD enrolls more than 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 100 countries. The innovative SCAD curriculum is enhanced by advanced professional-level technology, equipment, and learning resources, as well as opportunities for internships, professional certifications, and collaborative projects with corporate partners. In 2018, the prestigious Red Dot Design Rankings placed SCAD as the No. 1 university in the U.S. and in the top two universities in the Americas and Europe. Career preparation is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. In a study of Spring 2018 SCAD graduates, 99 percent were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 10 months of graduation.