Andrew Bolton
Wendy Yu Curator in Charge, The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York
The approachable academic behind some of the biggest Met Gala themes combines his flawless fashion knowledge with an engaging demeanour.
As curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute since 2006, Andrew Bolton is recognised for having spearheaded some of the most groundbreaking and innovative fashion exhibitions in the museum’s history. Most noted for the phenomenally successful "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" retrospective in 2011, Bolton has also overseen the Rai Kawakubo exhibition in 2017, as well as the successful "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination," which has attracted over 1 million visitors, making it the museum's third most popular exhibit ever, and featured objects from the Vatican Collection alongside designs by Gianni Versace, John Galliano for Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. Bolton also curated the 2019 exhibit "Camp: Notes on Fashion."
A graduate of social anthropology from the University of East Anglia, Bolton spent nine years at the Victoria & Albert museum in London before decamping for New York. In 2002 he joined the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City as an Associate Curator of the Costume Institute, and in 2005 it was announced that he would replace the retiring Harold Koda as Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute.
A celebrated curator, Bolton has been awarded the "Best Design Show" award by the International Association of Art Critics for an exhibition on couturier Paul Poiret. In 2009, Bolton was awarded with the AIGA Design Award and the Independent Publisher Book Award for "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy" catalogue. In 2017, Bolton received an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Art.
Bolton lives on the Upper West Side, New York with his partner, the designer Thom Browne .
Career History
VITAL STATISTICS
Grace Wales Bonner, Dapper Dan and Edward Enninful Among Members of the Met Gala’s Host Committee
The committee will join the co-chairs in presiding over the evening’s festivities. Also unveiled Tuesday was the dress code for the Met Gala, 'Tailored for You.'
Grace Wales Bonner, Dapper Dan and Edward Enninful Among Members of the Met Gala’s Host Committee
The committee will join the co-chairs in presiding over the evening’s festivities. Also unveiled Tuesday was the dress code for the Met Gala, 'Tailored for You.'
Superfine: Tailoring Black Style is the Met’s Costume Institute Spring 2025 Exhibition
The Costume Institute announced Wednesday that the theme of its Spring exhibition will celebrate the history of menswear through the lens of the Black diaspora.
Superfine: Tailoring Black Style is the Met’s Costume Institute Spring 2025 Exhibition
The Costume Institute announced Wednesday that the theme of its Spring exhibition will celebrate the history of menswear through the lens of the Black diaspora.
The BoF Podcast | Karl Lagerfeld at the Met: Designer, Polymath, Jigsaw Puzzle
Andrew Bolton’s latest curatorial miracle celebrates the creative process of one of fashion’s greatest icons. Bolton sits down with Tim Blanks for BoF’s latest podcast.
The BoF Podcast | Karl Lagerfeld at the Met: Designer, Polymath, Jigsaw Puzzle
Andrew Bolton’s latest curatorial miracle celebrates the creative process of one of fashion’s greatest icons. Bolton sits down with Tim Blanks for BoF’s latest podcast.
The End of the (Fashion) World as We Know It
If nature is inexorable, a volatile pathogen like coronavirus is its consummate ambassador and the fashion industry must change or die, writes Tim Blanks.
The End of the (Fashion) World as We Know It
If nature is inexorable, a volatile pathogen like coronavirus is its consummate ambassador and the fashion industry must change or die, writes Tim Blanks.
Heavenly Bodies Is the Most-Visited Exhibition in Met Museum History
The exhibit has amassed over 1.6 million visitors over a five month period.
Heavenly Bodies Is the Most-Visited Exhibition in Met Museum History
The exhibit has amassed over 1.6 million visitors over a five month period.
Grace Coddington to Host Talk Show ‘Face to Grace’ on M2M
The six-episode series, featuring interviews with the likes of Ansel Elgort and Nicolas Ghesquière, will debut on IMG’s streaming fashion channel in September 2018.
Grace Coddington to Host Talk Show ‘Face to Grace’ on M2M
The six-episode series, featuring interviews with the likes of Ansel Elgort and Nicolas Ghesquière, will debut on IMG’s streaming fashion channel in September 2018.
Alaïa After Alaïa
As Richemont-owned Alaïa opens a new flagship in London, Tim Blanks talks to Carla Sozzani about the late designer Azzedine Alaïa and the radical proposition that his studio will be able to sustain his legacy entirely with what he left them.
Alaïa After Alaïa
As Richemont-owned Alaïa opens a new flagship in London, Tim Blanks talks to Carla Sozzani about the late designer Azzedine Alaïa and the radical proposition that his studio will be able to sustain his legacy entirely with what he left them.
Why Victoria's Secret Is Waning
With its annual fashion show extravaganza, Victoria’s Secret has devised a powerful formula for uniting content and commerce. But its image is increasingly out of sync with consumers in the world's largest markets.
Why Victoria's Secret Is Waning
With its annual fashion show extravaganza, Victoria’s Secret has devised a powerful formula for uniting content and commerce. But its image is increasingly out of sync with consumers in the world's largest markets.
The Industry Remembers Azzedine Alaïa, A Fashion Original
The designer, whose passing was announced on Saturday morning, is remembered for his independence, compassion and creative genius.
The Industry Remembers Azzedine Alaïa, A Fashion Original
The designer, whose passing was announced on Saturday morning, is remembered for his independence, compassion and creative genius.
'Why Not?' at Thom Browne
Browne took his classic women’s collection and re-proportioned it for men, so, in his eyes at least, there was no doubt he was showing men’s clothes.
'Why Not?' at Thom Browne
Browne took his classic women’s collection and re-proportioned it for men, so, in his eyes at least, there was no doubt he was showing men’s clothes.
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
