In the gallery, upstairs and down, it is as if the miniature dolls have magically grown to human size, intended to give visitors the feeling that they are actually entering the rooms of the doll house itself.

Russian Doll (1999-2000) is one of the key moments of their career. A single model simply wearing a natural jute dress walked onto the stage and Viktor & Rolf themselves dress her with ten more independent layers in front of a catwalk audience. This is not only fashion but also unique performance art. Launch is the collection of their “Dreams in miniature” (1996). At the start of their career, before they became popular, Victor & Rolf created a miniature installation of their ambitions. Consisting of a catwalk show with dolls, a fashion shoot, a shop with glass windows and the launch of a fake perfume with an ad campaign and press release.

At The Fashion Show (2007-2008) each model is dressed as a walking event, harnessed to independent lighting and sound systems from their own scaffolding rugs. Bedtime Story (2005-2006) uses bed linen, quilt blanket and a red rose as its signature motif. Twenty-five unique collections, each with a significant piece, along with catwalk video work background, you can see their totally original ideas, uniqueness, and excellent humour and elegance.

“Designers tend to concentrate each season but we think fashion is continuous. This show celebrate our works include the past.” They say. “We also tend to follow the newest trend. But if we just look back there may be something yet not discovered, that is still attractive.” After finding out what they have been up to for the last fifteen years, it may be worth looking back through your own closet.

The House of Viktor & Rolf
Date: June 18th – September 21st, 2008
Place: Barbican Art Gallery
Address: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
https://www.barbican.org.uk