Couturier Charles James photographed in 1952. James is the subject of an exhibition at the Met in New York (IMAGE Michael A. Vaccaro)

Charles James: Beyond Fashion
8 May to 12 August
The Costume Institute, New York
Charles James, the mid-century British American couturier, is a worthy subject for the Met's annual fashion exhibition. James created spectacularly elaborate ball gowns, working obsessively on construction and understructure. He was celebrated by his peers Christian Dior, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaparelli and Christian Dior (and remains a favourite of contemporary designers John Galliano and Azzedine Alaïa), yet his lack of commercial acumen and self-indulgent working practices mean that he is now a largely forgotten figure. The Costume Institute's exhibition is a timely reminder of his talents.

Aram at 50
8 May to 29 October
The Aram Gallery, London
Design retailer Zeev Aram opened his titular store in London on 9 April 1964, meaning that this year Aram celebrates its 50th anniversary. To mark the occasion the associated Aram Gallery will curate an exhibition throughout Aram Store. The exhibition will take in Zeev Aram's collaboration with modernist Eileen Grey, display works that Aram was the first to bring to market, and reflect on the work of Zeev Aram & Associates, a design office that operated between 1963 and 1989.

Architecture on Film: The Competition
8 May, 7pm
Barbican, London
Continuing the Architecture Foundation's Architecture on Film series, The Competition is a film documenting five architects' efforts to win the commission for the planned future National Museum of Art of Andorra. The film provides a rare insight into the process that goes on behind the competition system, with Jean Nouvel, Dominique Perrault, Zaha Hadid and Norman Foster all competing to see their offices' designs realised.

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