by Nicole Bennett

Decadent, significant, and educational are only some of the terms that could be used to describe the Kleibacker: New York Designer to Ohio Curator exhibit at The Ohio Art Council’s Riffe Gallery from May 8 through July 6, 2008.

After two years, Kleibacker is ready to open May 8 through July 6 at the Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery in Downtown Columbus. It contains not only haute couture clothing from Designer Charles Kleibacker’s own collections, but garments, displays and photographs from his previous curatorial work. 

All 11 exhibitions curated by Charles Kleibacker himself will be represented at this latest exhibition, including some of the original pieces.

“Charles has built strong relationships with collectors and designers and he was able to call on them again to bring together wonderful pieces that are not often seen by the public,” says Mary Gray, Riffe Gallery director.

The gallery floor starts by honoring Charles Kleibacker and his achievements as a designer. With original designs from his more than 20 year career accompanied by numerous articles about the designer and photographs from publications like Vogue and Women’s Wear Daily, it’s easy to see how Kleibacker became a successful designer. It was not without hard work and a spirit of determination, that Kleibacker became known as the “Master of the Bias.”

In the second section of the gallery is a comprehensive overview of Kleibacker as the curator.

“Unfortunately we cannot produce, in their entirety, 11 exhibitions in one gallery,” says Lacey Luce, Riffe Gallery marketing specialist. “So, what visitors will see is a sample of pieces from each exhibition and photos taken of scenes from the original installations.”

The exhibits range from his first, in 1986, Memorable Dress/ Ohio Women, created for the Ohio State University Gallery of Fine Art, to his 2006 exhibition Uncommon Clothes: Photographic Inspiration for the Columbus Museum of Art. Clothes worn by Mrs. John Glenn and costumes worn by Phyllis Diller, along with a rare Paul Poiret design will be available for viewing.

Through his extensive work in developing The Historic Costume and Textiles Collection with The Ohio State University, he was inspired to share the collection with the rest of the Columbus community and discovered that the best way to present the pieces was through exhibitions.

“I want to help people in the community realize that clothing design has its niche in the art museums around the world,” says Kleibacker. “All of the attention that these exhibits have received shows that there is a need and interest in truly meaningful designs.”

The exhibit is hypnotic, boasting beautiful fabric, beading, and structure of the clothes. It transcends "clothing" and becomes textile art.

The exhibit contains designs from Bill Blass, Chanel, Pierre Cardin, Christian Dior, Galanos, Isabel Toledo, Valentina, Balenciaga, and many more influential designers of the 20th century.

Kleibacker: New York Designer and Ohio Curator opens May 8 with a tour by Charles Kleibacker himself from 5 to 6 p.m. There is a reception following the tour from 6 to 8 p.m. An additional tour by Kleibacker will be held May 16 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.

Visit www.oac.state.oh.us/riffe for more information.