El Museo del Barrio in New York takes a fresh look at Antonio Lopez, the late Puerto Rico-born fashion illustrator best known for his work in publications like American Vogue, Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) and the New York Times, with the survey exhibition Future Funk Fashion (until 26 November). The show aims to “delve deeper into the all-encompassing breadth of his work and creative process”, says the co-organiser, Rocio Aranda-Alvarado, who points to Lopez’s importance as one of the first fashion illustrators to depict black models—like his friend Grace Jones—and behind-the-scenes industry workers. In addition to his fashion illustrations, the show of around 300 objects features examples of his lesser-known endeavours, including Instamatic photography and the small plastic sculptures moulded from his 1970s shoe designs. Various fashion-forward figures, such as the designer Narcisco Rodriguez, are among the lenders to the exhibition.
