Texas Fashion Collection presents "Labor of Luxury" at NorthPark Center, Dallas

The Texas Fashion Collection will again partner with NorthPark Center in Dallas to showcase its world-class holdings. The exhibition "Labor of Luxury: The Art of Embroidery from India to the World" can be viewed in the center's west wing on Level 1, near Nordstrom Court, through May 19, 2024. The project features 15 ensembles from the TFC's permanent collection, all celebrating high-design fashions featuring beading and embroidery executed in India.

"Labor of Luxury: The Art of Embroidery from India to the World"
April 8–May 19, 2024
Level One Between Neiman Marcus And Nordstrom

Curated by Annette Becker, director and curator of the Texas Fashion Collection, the show features shimmering sequins, dense beads, and delicate embroidery that transform everyday garments into extraordinary works of art. While many Euro-American luxury designers have developed followings based on these sophisticated techniques, few people realize most fashion surface design is executed in another part of the world: India.

The exhibition features Euro-American and Indian designers who have worked closely with Indian artisans to create new possibilities in luxury fashion. Some designers have maintained silence about the skilled labor that transformed their sketches into sparkling reality; others have outspokenly celebrated these productive partnerships with karigars, recognizing how their artistic practices grew through the collaborations. As Indian fashion designers’ presence grows internationally, Indian beading and embroidery increasingly shape our global fashion landscape.

Curated by Becker with Ailie Pankonien, collection manager, and assisted by students Collin Farley, Gabby Goldstein, Jarryd Lara, Annie Puga, Isabel Saldivar and Anna Smith.

Image 1: "Buggered" jumpsuit ensemble by design house Papa Don't Preach. This garment is a bright yellow dhoti-inspired jumpsuit made of textured silk with all-over dimensional beading in pink, purple, white, and gold, shown on a black mannequin against a dark blue backdrop.