Camp: Notes on Fashion

Through more than 250 objects dating from the seventeenth century to the present, The Costume Institute’s spring 2019 exhibition explores the origins of camp’s exuberant aesthetic. Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay “Notes on ‘Camp'” provides the framework for the exhibition, which examines how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality, and exaggeration are expressed in fashion.

Accompanied by a catalogue.

#MetCamp

Please note: Strollers are not allowed in this exhibition. Read about our admissions policy and plan your visit here.

Featured Media

“The historical journey is thoroughly engaging. . . . you don’t stop thinking about it. It sticks with you and niggles in the brain.” —New York Times

“A high-ceilinged, over-the-rainbow extravaganza” —Wall Street Journal

“The exhibition’s expressions of humor and joy are sure to delight” —Washington Post

“Just might top 2018’s extravaganza. . . . focused and cleverly thought out, offering an instructive journey. . . . entertaining and educative . . . the attentive visitor will relish in the many sensibilities of camp” —Independent

The exhibition is made possible by

Additional support is provided by

Ensemble by Bertrand Guyon (French, born 1965) and headpiece by Stephen Jones (British, born 1957) for House of Schiaparelli (French, founded 1927), fall/winter 2018–19 haute couture. Courtesy of Schiaparelli. Photo © Johnny Dufort, 2019