The Costume Institute’s new Condé M. Nast Galleries in the Metropolitan Museum of Art received some additional financial support from designers Michael Kors, Thom Browne and Tory Burch.
“Costume Art” inaugurates the Condé M. Nast Galleries, a 12,000-square-foot space adjacent to The Met’s Great Hall. Somewhat suitably, the location used to house what was a roomy Met store.
While Condé Nast provided the major support for the construction of the Costume Institute’s exhibition space on the museum’s main floor, Browne’s contributions, as well those of Michael Kors and his husband Lance LePere, were so significant that there is now a Thom Browne gallery and a Michael Kors and Lance LePere one. Further support for the space was provided by Tory Burch LLC, Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer, Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers, and Amy and John Griffin.
Standing in the Thom Browne gallery during a preview of “Costume Art” on Saturday, the Costume Institute’s chief curator in charge Andrew Bolton spoke of the support from Browne, Kors, LePere, Burch and Lauder Zinterhofer, “It’s really meaningful because this is has been made by the American fashion community.,” said Bolton, who is also Browne’s longtime partner.
Michael Kors and Lance Le Pere at the Harper’s Bazaar cocktail party in September 2024.
Nina Westervelt/WWD
Bolton noted how when the Costume Institute was formed in 1946 under The Met, that was done under the provision that it would raise its own funds. “Hence, ‘the Party of the Year,’” he said, referring to the precursor to The Met Gala, a private dinner for 50 people that was organized by the late fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert.
The Costume Institute sprang from the Museum of Costume Art, an independent entity that was formed in 1937 and was led by Irene Lewisohn, the founder of the Neighborhood Playhouse. With financial support from the fashion community, the Museum of Costume Art merged with The Met in 1946 and morphed into the Costume Institute. It became a curatorial department in 1959.
Given that heritage, Bolton said, “This seems like a natural extension to that commitment and support. To me, it is so powerful the fact that it is the American fashion community that made this contribution. Obviously, it’s also through Anna [Wintour’s] unwavering commitment and Condé Nast’s to our department made these galleries possible along with the fashion community,” Bolton said. “It’s meaningful to be here, because of the fashion industry.”
It’s also really personal, given Browne’s and Bolton’s personal relationship. Bolton said, “I think we’ve developed side-by-side and we both inspire each other in different creative ways. The fact that I am here as a curator for The Met and it’s supported by Thom is incredibly meaningful and deeply personal. It’s very profound.”
While the names of Browne, Kors, Lauder and Burch are sure to resonate with consumers visiting The Met, their financial support may introduce a side of themselves to some. “Tory, Thom, Michael, Aerin — they’re really our modern-day philanthropists. They’re our Jayne Wrightsmans of today,” said Bolton, a nod to the late art collector and society maven, who along with her husband Charles were among the museum’s most important patrons.
“What’s so extraordinary is they all built their businesses. They are all self-made people. They’ve built their businesses into such levels of success, and they’re investing their money into art and culture.”
