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Kleibacker: New York Designer to Ohio Curator

May 8– July 6, 2008

Charles Kleibacker and the exhibitions of haute couture and ready-to-wear clothing that he has organized have been a consistent and welcome presence in the Columbus arts community for more than 20 years. During a time when developments in clothing design have often been in the forefront of culture and when fashion exhibitions have drawn crowds to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other venues internationally, Kleibacker introduced fashion exhibitions to Columbus. He has helped make historical and contemporary clothing part of what audiences here value seeing, and even expect to see, in our arts institutions. But what was Kleibacker doing before he began making exhibitions? And how did his work then shape and guide the exhibitions for which he would eventually serve as curator?

Kleibacker: New York Designer to Ohio Curator begins to answer those questions. One section of the exhibition presents a selection of garments designed by Kleibacker himself along with selected archival materials about his career as a designer. The second, and larger, section brings together pieces selected to represent each of the 11 exhibitions he has organized in Ohio since 1986. Photographs relating to or documenting those exhibitions in situ capture creative and often unexpected aspects of the displays, and show additional facets of Kleibacker’s work as a curator. By looking at these two aspects of Kleibacker’s work with fine clothing, the exhibition demonstrates the common principles that have guided him in both design and curating. In addition, it shows how Kleibacker’s background as a designer has informed and enriched the exhibitions he has developed. More ...

Go to descriptions of the 11 exhibitions curated by Charles Kleibacker.

Go to a full biography of designer and curator Charles Kleibacker.

Go to the press release.

Join us opening night, Thursday, May 8. Charles Kleibacker will lead a tour of the exhibition from 5-6 p.m., which will be followed by an opening reception from 6-8 p.m.
On Friday, May 16, Charles Kleibacker will lead a second free tour of the exhibition from noon - 1 p.m.

Admission to the gallery and gallery events is free.

This exhibition is produced by the Ohio Arts Council in partnership with the Columbus Museum of Art; the Historic Costume and Textiles Collection, Geraldine Schottenstein Wing at The Ohio State University; and Cordelia Robinson. Additional support from the Ohio Building Authority and media sponsors Alive, City Scene, Ohio Magazine and Time Warner Cable.

Tour some of the works that will be on display.

There are 12 images contained within this archive that are intended for Riffe Gallery publicity/educational use only. These images are protected by a photographic copyright that belongs to the Ohio Arts Council. They, therefore, are not in the public domain. Please contact the Ohio Arts Council directly if you wish to inquire about obtaining reproduction permission.


Steven Stipelman’s 1995 illustration of a 1971 Kleibacker dress	*From the 1986 exhibition Memorable Dress / Ohio Women* at The Ohio State University Gallery of Fine Art** This photograph, taken of the original gallery installation, shows, right, a 1936 long black silk faille Nettie Rosenstein dress and left, 1940s Adrian printed black crepe jacket, skirt, cape.	From the 1989 exhibition Linear Grace: 1920s–1930s Haute Couture at the Columbus Museum of Art Gown by French designer Paul Poiret (1879-1944, career in Paris), 1920s waistline dress in burnt orange silk crepe with flowing attached cape.

From the 1992 exhibition In Black & White: Dress from the 1920s to Today at the Wexner Center for the Arts This photograph, of the original gallery installation, shows a scene with Frank Gehry’s corrugated furniture; Nina Ricci’s 1970s crepe pants and tunic on a Gehry ottoman; a late 1960s Yves Saint Laurent dress from his African Collection; Issey Miyake’s 1991 white dress of Nylon monofilament and his pinwheel cotton skirt and blouse; several 1990s black Alaïa dresses; several Hervé Leger black and white banded dresses. At the far end, is the evening gown scene.	From the 1993 exhibition Reel to Real: The Hollywood Designer After Film at the Columbus Museum of Art Gown by Russian designer Valentina (Schlee) (1904 – 1989, career in New York) 1930s bias-cut long dress of golden-yellow jersey. Custom-made for actress Gloria Swanson. On loan from Mount Mary College, Historical Costume Collection, Milwaukee. Gift of Charles Kleibacker.	From the 1996 exhibition Steven Stipelman: His Illustrations and the Fashions They Reflect at the Kent State University Museum Steven Stipelman’s 1991 illustration of a Vionnet gown.

From the 1997 exhibition DRESSed-up Photography at the Columbus Museum of Art A fashion photograph by Neal Barr of a 1930s bias-cut wedding gown of white crepe-back silk satin, by an unknown designer for the Bergdorf Goodman label. On loan from Mount Mary College, Historic Costume Collection, Milwaukee. Gift of Charles Kleibacker.	*From the 1998 exhibition Couture / Ready-to-Wear* at the Columbus Museum of Art** Gown by French designer Pauline Trigère (1910-2002, career in New York), 1985 ready-to-wear purple wool crepe. Gift of Pauline Trigère.	From the 2000 exhibition Reality and Interpretation at The Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery This photograph, of the original gallery installation, shows from left: 1955 Christian Dior long dress of black silk velvet with white silk satin sash; 1993 Givenchy wedding gown of white silk and rayon lace, 1989 Isabel Toledo two-piece dress of black silk velvet, and an illustration of the dress by Ruben Toledo

From the 2004 exhibition Not-So-Basic Black: Powerful Presence in 20th Century Dress at the Columbus Museum of Art Gown by Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo (b. 1961, career in New York), 1998 long dress of black rayon jersey, eyelash fringe, and net. On loan from Isabel and Ruben Toledo.	*From the 2005 exhibition Sculpture and Drapery: The Art of Fashion* at the Historic Costume and Textiles Collection, Geraldine Schottenstein Wing at The Ohio State University** Gown by American designer Charles James (1906 – 1978, career in New York), sleeveless dress; its boned bodice and undulating peplum are of black lace over ivory silk satin. These two layers are pleated at the center-front then applied to black silk faille and interfaced with black Pellon® and stiff tulle. Gift of Sally van der Meersch (now Mrs. Michael van Beuren). Photograph by Anne Bissonnette, Ph.D.	From the 2006 exhibition Uncommon Clothes: Photographic Inspiration at the Columbus Museum of Art A fashion photograph by Skrebneski of a 1965 Kleibacker bias-cut silk crepe dress.

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