Rolf Snoeren and Viktor Horsting, Viktor&Rolf, Amsterdam 2002. Photography: Courtesy of Anuschka Blommers and Niels Schumm

Renowned for their spectacular runway shows that are out of this world, international fashion house, Viktor & Rolf is the voice of experimental avant-garde. Back in their 1999 Haute Couture fashion show at Paris Fashion Week, the fashion duo, Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren progressively dressed model Maggie Rizer in 9 layers of captivating designs, each more bizarre and extravagant than the previous layer. The brand broke rules of traditional couture and the human ‘Russian Doll’ concept was brought to life.

Left: Viktor&Rolf, Performance of Sculptures haute couture collection, spring–summer 2016. Right: Viktor&Rolf, Performance of Sculptures haute couture collection, spring–summer 2016. Photography: Courtesy of Philip Riches; Laura Marie Cieplik

Developed in close collaboration with the National Gallery of Victoria and curator Thierry-Maxime Loriot, ‘Viktor&Rolf: Fashion Artists’ dives head first into the notion of wearable art. The exhibition is a clear representation of the Dutch duo identities, pushing boundaries of art and fashion, romance and violence.

The label’s latest work-in-progress, Dolls, will also be on display, alongside more than 35 of the most innovative haute couture pieces from Viktor&Rolf’s collections and archives, decked throughout the museum halls.

Left: Viktor&Rolf, Van Gogh Girls haute couture collection, spring–summer 2015. Middle: Viktor&Rolf, Shalom ready-to-wear collection, spring–summer 2009. Right: Viktor&Rolf, Van Gogh Girls haute couture collection, spring–summer 2015. Photography: Courtesy of Philip Riches; Barrie Hullegie

Until February 26, 2017 at National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. www.ngv.vic.gov.au