240 stage costumes arrive in Denver

The Denver Art Museum now houses 240 objects from a touring fashion exhibit called DIVA. The collection features clothing and costumes worn by 100 performers. The show is on Level 2 of the Hamilton Building. It runs through Jan. 31. This is the only stop for the exhibition in the United States. It has already shown in Rotterdam, Budapest, Melbourne, and Auckland. Tokyo will host it next.

Jill D’Alessandro is the director and curator of Avenir Institute of Textile Arts and Fashion at the museum. She explains that the show explores the concept of a diva. D’Alessandro defines a diva as someone with exceptional talent and a calling beyond personal gain. She notes that the definition changes week by week. The exhibit includes 58 American performers. The original curator, Kate Bailey of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, held about 50% of the objects in its permanent collection. The London version used a rotunda-style layout. The Denver space is about 30% larger. D’Alessandro and her team added 50 pieces and seven videos to suit an American audience. They included a section on Taylor Swift and expanded the Dolly Parton display.

The gallery presents the items in a linear order. It starts with 1830s opera divas. It moves through Victorian theater, Hollywood starlets, and contemporary figures. The show features women primarily, but also includes men such as Freddie Mercury, Elton John, Prince, and Lil Nas X. Specific items include a custom dress from Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” era. A gown worn by Dolly Parton in episode 4 of “Dolly” is also on view. Barbra Streisand’s costume from “Funny Girl” is included. Rihanna’s Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards ensemble is part of the display. Janelle Monáe’s vulva pants from her “Pynk” music video are present. Elton John’s 50th birthday costume is there. Whitney Houston’s 1994 Grammy Awards dress is on display. Outfits from Björk, Marilyn Monroe, Maria Callas, and María Félix round out the collection.

One item D’Alessandro favors is the flame dress Bob Mackie designed for Tina Turner in 1977. Turner was about 40 years old when she launched her solo career. D’Alessandro says Turner asked for a look like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Cher, RuPaul, and Beyoncé have recreated the style in tribute. D’Alessandro says securing two Dolly Parton looks while Parton was alive was meaningful. Parton helped choose them and signed off on the selection. The exhibit uses headsets to play era-specific music and film audio. Video projections accompany several displays. Visitors can take a personality quiz on tablets to match with a diva. D’Alessandro matched with Lauryn Hill. A wall at the end allows visitors to write notes about missing divas. D’Alessandro says the board often features family members. She notes that Miss Piggy is a popular entry.

The exhibit is not included in general admission to the museum. Tickets are available for purchase online.