The Fashion Collection of the MKG comprises over 10.000 items of women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, including underwear and accessories. The collection documents the development from the courtly and upper-class clothes of the mid-18th century to the fashion and styles of our time. Alongside the haute couture and prêt-à-porter of renowned international designers such as Christobál Balenciaga (1895-1972), Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008) and André Courrèges (1923) German fashion designers such as Wolfgang Joop (1944) are represented with their creations. Following acquisitions and donations, Japanese fashion design of the last 30 years, including model dresses by Issey Miyake, has become the focus of the collection.

Throughout the past twenty years the collection of avant-garde fashion has been extended continuously. Worth mentioning are the designs by the Belgian Martin Margiela (*1957) representing the Antwerp School and the British designer Alexander McQueen (1969-2010). Both had a lasting influence on the development of international fashion design. Clothing of other periods, cultures and traditions, such as early Christian tunics, East-Asian robes, clerical vestments and traditional costumes closely links the collection to the other departments of the museum.

The textiles’ sensitivity to light makes their permanent display impossible, so the Fashion Collection is regularly exhibited in special shows and changing displays.