Five Young Designers to Know From the Met’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion” Exhibition

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s upcoming “Camp: Notes on Fashion” exhibition promises all the big names of the industry under one roof. Gucci is the exhibition sponsor and will be well represented through arresting creations by Alessandro Michele. Thierry Mugler’s pearl dress worn by Cardi B will be there, as will plenty of Moschino, Jeremy Scott, Balenciaga, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christopher Kane, and Erdem. But in between the larger-than-life Viktor & Rolf couture gowns and the feathered Anna Sui baby dolls are pieces by five young designers. Whether you know their work well or their names are brand-new to you, the truth is that after “Camp: Notes on Fashion” opens on May 9, they will be the talk of the industry.

Tomo Koizumi

The Tokyo-based designer Tomo Koizumi has been the name on everyone’s lips since his debut show during New York Fashion Week. Spotted on Instagram by Katie Grand, Koizumi is famous for his polyester-organza creations in larger-than-life silhouettes. At his Fall 2019 show, no less than Gwendoline Christie appeared in his closing look: a rainbow ruffled top and trousers. Since then, his pieces were worn by Sophie Turner in the Jonas Brothers’s latest video and Brazilian celebrity Sabrina Sato. Expect to see a couple of pieces on the Met Gala red carpet, too.

Edda Gimnes

Norwegian designer Edda Gimnes made headlines last year when she called out Moschino for allegedly copying her sketchy prints. Controversies aside, Gimnes has made a name for herself in Scandinavia and abroad for her surreal scribbles and two-dimensional ready-to-wear that has been worn by the likes of Lady Gaga and Gigi Hadid. One of her strapless dresses and coordinating hats will feature in this year’s exhibition, making her one of the youngest designers to ever be shown at the Met.

Blindness

JiSun Park and KyuYong Shin started their buzzy label in Seoul, moving their biannual runway shows to London Fashion Week Men’s last season. The name, Blindness, comes from the idea of gender blindness—and the clothing does much to live up to the moniker. With sweeping sheer dresses and pearl embellishments, Blindness’s menswear evokes the androgynous and fluid definitions of camp.

Palomo Spain

Alejandro Gómez Palomo, the Madrid-based designer behind Palomo Spain, got a big bump last year from Beyoncé, who wore one of his lilac robes to reveal her twins, Sir and Rumi, on Instagram. But Gómez Palomo’s work is about so much more than just diva attire. Drawing from historical references ranging from the Ballets Russes to Edwardian garb, Gómez Palomo’s menswear is equal parts costume and kitsch—camp at its best.

Midnight 00

Chances are you’re more familiar with Ada Kokosar as one of Phil Oh’s favorite street style subjects. But the Milanese stylist quietly launched her own range of footwear last year that plays on the idea of packaging, with stilettos wrapped in cellophane and adorned with crystals. It’s one of these pairs, in optic white leather, that will make it to the Met.