Izstāde “Jūgendstila tērpi. Vita Millere”

From August 7 to September 13, 2026, the museum “Rīgas Jūgendstila centrs” will host the exhibition “Art Nouveau Costumes. Vita Millere”, dedicated to the creative work of costume master Vita Millere.

Costume author Vita Millere gained her professional experience in Latvian theatres, but since 2016 she has been cooperating with the museum “Rīgas Jūgendstila centrs”, focusing on the research and reconstruction of Art Nouveau era costumes. Every costume exhibited in the exhibition has been created by delving into the period's cuts, fabric choices, finishing details, and historical sources. These costumes have become an important part of the museum's identity, helping visitors experience the lifestyle and aesthetics of the Art Nouveau era. The exhibition will feature luxurious city ladies' costumes, everyday clothing, as well as servant costumes.

The exhibition will showcase elegant women's suits and dresses, skirts, and blouses that reveal the diversity of Art Nouveau era clothing. Visitors will be able to view the delicate details of the costumes up close – luxurious laces, fastenings, cuffs and sleeve bands, brooches, belts, ruffles, decorative tucks, pleatings, and other costume decoration elements characteristic of the era. These costumes are not just exhibition exhibits – they are part of the museum's daily life. Museum employees dressed in them welcome visitors, guide tours, and participate in museum events, creating a living and authentic atmosphere of the early 20th century. The costumes on display in the exposition reflect the diversity and elegance of Art Nouveau fashion, while also testifying to master Vita Millere's meticulous historical research, high craftsmanship, and precision in every detail.

One of the exhibition's most striking exhibits is the reconstructed costume "National Clothing in a Modern Spirit" created by master Vita Millere after a design made in 1904 by the outstanding Latvian painter, interior designer, educator, and art critic Jūlijs Madernieks. Preparing for the V General Latvian Song Festival, Jūlijs Madernieks created stylized folk costume designs that combined national traditions with Art Nouveau aesthetics and modernist ideas. The costume allows visitors to experience one of the most significant examples of early Latvian design in a spatial form.

The exhibition will also offer a glimpse into the process of creating a historical costume – from the idea and research of historical sources to the finished garment. The exhibition “Art Nouveau Costumes. Vita Millere” is a tribute to craftsmanship, creativity, and love for the cultural heritage of the Art Nouveau era, revealing how the reconstruction of a historical costume helps the past come alive and become closer to the contemporary viewer.

Working hours: Closed on Mondays, Tuesday - Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00