What was the title of the 2014 Met Gala exhibition honoring Charles James?

The title of the 2014 Met Gala exhibition honoring Charles James was “Charles James: Beyond Fashion.”

Charles James was an Anglo-American couturier celebrated for sculptural evening gowns and technically complex construction. The exhibition highlighted how he used architecture, mathematics, and engineering-like methods to shape garments around the body.

James is often described as one of America’s most important designers even though he produced relatively few collections compared with major fashion houses. His work influenced later designers through its dramatic volume, internal structure, and precision.

The 2014 gala opened the exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The event was also notable because it marked the first Met Gala after the Costume Institute’s spaces were renamed the Anna Wintour Costume Center in 2014.