Dressing The Woman in Gold: Gustav Klimt

Dresses with a motorcycle-handle bra-piece, metal corsets with jointed abs, and a robot dress: a journey into a world of fantasy, Amazonian models, haute couture, fetish and glamor in the footsteps of legendary designer Thierry Mugler. Mugler, one of the twentieth century's most daring and innovative designers , was a promising classical ballet dancer in his youth, but abandoned dance for another stage: fashion. It soon became apparent, however, that the stage had not abandoned him, for his runways featured theatrical costumes and haute-couture clothes that shocked the world. The bold clothes he created were always designed for the greatest divas—and presented a new femininity. Mugler passed away in 2022. The lecture follows his extraordinary story and examines his miraculous work through an extensive traveling exhibition of his work.

The queen may lack a crown, but she dons a cone bra, fishnet stockings, and the iconic name Madonna! The ultimate diva of Western pop, who, with her debut record, sent the world into a frenzy with her groundbreaking style, continues to shape and influence the fashion scene. Madonna is the master of the stage persona, using clothes and accessories as tools for social revolution and a shield against relentless public scrutiny. In her lecture, Yaara Keydar explores the life of this modern icon—a tale of courage and personal sacrifice woven through the musical milestones and stylistic evolutions of a woman who constantly reinvents herself while always staying true to who she is. Madonna, this is a love song.

How can one find beauty in the darkness of war? Can it even hold meaning when humanity is shrouded in shadow?
In the lecture “Secrets of Heroines”, exhibition curator Ya’ara Keydar invites the audience on a behind-the-scenes journey into the making of “Heroines: Fashion and Hope in World War II.”

In this talk, Ya’ara shares the curatorial process and the personal experience of engaging with such a complex subject in the aftermath of October 7.
Curation is a process that involves collaboration with professionals, moments of success and failure, mistakes, and a great deal of magic.

Ya’ara will tell how a single tiny thimble led to an entire exhibition. She will reveal the mysteries uncovered during the research, share moving stories from the production process, and speak about sources of inspiration—something we all need now more than ever.

This is a heartfelt lecture about a journey between sorrow and beauty, between loss and hope—and above all, a deep belief in women and humanity.