From the Heart to the Hands

Eye has not seen, nor ever heard the like which in Biblical terms, depicts the indescribable riches of Heaven. That’s what came to mind, as I entered the Palazzo Reale in Milan to experience the recent Dolce Gabbana exhibition in Milan. It was called From the Heart to the Hands.

Ten themed rooms, showing the most sublime collections of frocks and other garments, capes, bodices, shoes, jewellery etc from their Alta Moda shows since 2011. Embellishment of the highest order, unwrapping craftsmanship, haute couture embroideries made with human hands, was the best exhibition I ever appreciated, as an artisan myself., engaged in slow fashion.

It was a personal revelation in that I learnt a lot about myself as a result. Walking room to room through heavy velvet drapes each room almost unravelling a plot. I recognised my longstanding deep interest in ornament in the widest sense, not just embroidery, and haute textiles but jewellery, brooches, corsages, lace, mosaic and even crystal chandeliers. It represented my own feeble collections of a lifetime, relating to these themes. Nothing plainly boring in sight, but everything embellished!

One large room was done out as an atelier, and as one who spends a lot of time surrounded by the tools of the trade, I felt completely at home. I could have jumped the rope and started working! The tools are a large part of that inner passion. We are often super absorbed in the marvels of nature, but pay less attention perhaps to what the human hand is capable of, with of course, the right tools. On the other hand, you come out from the Palazzo and you look up at the Duomo at the dexterity of past hands.