Famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo was known for distinctive her personal style—defined by striking elements such as traditional Mexican silver jewelry and embroidered dresses and blouses. The collection of her finery went on view for the first time in Mexico City in November 2012. Since then, visitors from all over the world have had the chance to lay eyes upon this icon’s wardrobe and personal belongings.
The exhibition is called Appearances Can Be Deceiving: The Dresses of Frida Kahlo, and it is a collaboration between Casa Azul, a Museum in Mexico City that is completely dedicated to the life and art of Frida Kahlo, and Vogue Mexico. The show is remarkable for many reasons, not least of which is the fact that Frida’s belongings were under lock and key until very recently.
When Frida died in 1954, Diego Rivera, her grief-stricken husband (and famous Mexican muralist) locked the doors to her close and forbade anyone to enter. When Rivera passed away in 1957, he tasked his friend Dolores Olmedo with keeping Frida’s belongings locked away and out of the public eye. When Olmedo died in 2002, the closet was finally opened to reveal Frida’s collection of Tehuana clothing, made by indigenous Mexican artisans. A feminist, Frida wore this type of clothing to pay tribute to the matriarchal Tehuantepec society in which women were traders/businesspeople and considered to be on equal par with the men.
The collection will be on view at the Casa Azul (“blue house”— named after the museum’s blue walls) until November 2013. The museum building was the house where Frida was born and also where she grew up, lived as an adult woman with Diego, and eventually died.
The museum is home to artwork by Frida, Diego Rivera and other Mexican artists of note. Visitors can also see the couple’s impressive collection of Mexican folk art and pre-Hispanic artifacts. Personal items such as photographs, memorabilia, and home accessories are displayed in the various rooms of the house, making it feel as though Frida or Diego could walk through the door at any minute.
Museo Frida Kahlo - Casa Azul
Londres 247 Del Carmen, Coyoacán, 04100 Mexico City
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