Bonaveri has created the exhibition mannequins for Costume Art, on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York through January 10, 2027. The project supports the exhibition’s curatorial narrative through figures developed to represent the contemporary body in its many forms and identities.
Within this context, Bonaveri’s mannequins perform far more than a display function. They become an integral part of the exhibition design, translating the themes of the show into physical space while contributing to a broader and more inclusive representation of the human body.
The collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art reinforces Bonaveri’s role in international museum exhibition design
The collaboration with the Costume Institute further strengthens Bonaveri’s position in designing exhibition mannequins for leading museums and cultural institutions worldwide. For Costume Art, the company developed a series of custom, dressable mannequins designed around a new generation of forms inspired by direct observation of the human body.
The project moves beyond the mannequin’s traditional supporting role, transforming it into an interpretive element that actively contributes to the exhibition’s curatorial narrative.
The mannequins contribute to the exhibition’s exploration of the body as a cultural and social identity
Curated by Andrew Bolton, Costume Art explores the body in its many interpretations, from classical ideals to contemporary representations that embrace identities and physical forms historically absent from museum narratives.
Several mannequins are based on scans of real bodies, replacing the abstract ideal with authentic physical presence. This design approach allows the display system itself to become part of the exhibition’s storytelling.
Bonaveri combines sculptural research with technical precision
Every Bonaveri mannequin results from a design process that combines anatomical observation, sculptural balance and expressive interpretation. Posture, weight and physical tension are carefully studied and reinterpreted to create figures that reflect the exhibition’s conceptual language.
The result is an exhibition mannequin that does more than support a garment—it enhances the interpretation of the work and contributes to the overall museum experience.
The exhibition design creates a dialogue between fashion, artworks and display figures
The exhibition unfolds through a sequence of galleries where garments, artworks, historical objects and mannequins form a unified visual narrative. The display figures interact with archaeological artefacts, contemporary artworks and fashion pieces while maintaining a consistent museum composition.
The installation features strong visual axes, integrated display plinths, illuminated showcases and neutral architectural backgrounds that direct attention to both the garments and the exhibition narrative.
Bonaveri mannequins become an integral part of the Costume Art exhibition design
Bonaveri’s contribution to Costume Art reinforces the company’s ongoing collaboration with major international museums. The project reflects a design approach that combines craftsmanship, innovation and sculptural research to create mannequins that actively participate in the exhibition narrative.
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the mannequin becomes a museum design element that supports the dialogue between fashion, art and identity, extending its role well beyond that of a traditional display support.