Valley natives exhibit menswear at museum

Staff report

KENT

The Kent State University Museum’s newest exhibit, “Beyond the Suit: Contemporary Menswear From the Collection of Alexandre Marr and Dominic Iudiciani,” offers a fresh look at current trends in menswear design.

It consists of clothing from the personal collections of Marr and Iudiciani, who are both from Poland, Ohio, and features work from notable labels such as Rick Owens, Gareth Pugh, Julius 7, Dior Homme, Comme des Garcons and Issey Miyake. The exhibit runs through June 30 of next year.

The unique tastes of Marr and Iudiciani shaped the selection of the individual pieces in the exhibit, revealing breaks in men’s fashion from the tailored suit.

Rather than traditional jackets, trousers and button-down shirts, the exhibit features alternatives to conventionally structured and tailored pieces.

“Beyond the Suit” showcases variations of skirts for men, pushing their looks beyond the square-shouldered, trim-waisted silhouette of a traditional suit.

The collection demonstrates how society is moving away from strictly defined clothing options, such as three-piece suits and tuxedos. Designers such as Owens and Pugh take inspiration from punk and Goth sensibilities to signal a rejection of the formality of society and the workplace.

“I am excited about the opportunity that this exhibition provides to showcase menswear,” expressed Sara Hume, curator of the museum. “So much of our collection is focused on womenswear, and I regret that that means that menswear is often overlooked. The pieces on display really highlight that menswear is dynamic and changing – the opposite of boring or static.”

Visitors will notice the details and craftsmanship that went into creating the garments.

Marr is a 2014 graduate of Kent State University who works in product development on the innovation team at the American Greetings Creative Studios in Westlake. Additionally, he is a classically trained pianist, having studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Kent State. He frequently performs throughout the country and abroad and maintains a private piano studio out of his Akron home, serves as the music director for Temple Israel in Canton and directs The Cabaret Project, an annual theatrical revue.

Iudiciani is a 2016 graduate of the University of Akron who majored in graphic design and photography. He is employed by Koroseal Interior Products designing commercial wallcovering products, and he runs a private freelance photography and design business.

Iudiciani is also a member of Singers Companye, having recently returned from his first international tour with the ensemble in Ireland.

The KSU Museum is at 515 Hilltop Drive, at the corner of East Main and South Lincoln streets. Go to kent.edu/museum for hours and admission fee information.