A DIVE INTO ART X FASHION: A DECADE OF INSPIRATION TO REMEMBER

By Rachel D. Vancelette

ART X FASHION has been closely related for centuries and continues to this day to engage us in inspiring ways! From the Renaissance paintings depicted with fashionable clothing to the contemporary catwalks paired with contemporary art, these two worlds are constantly intersecting. As an art advisor/fashion consultant it is important to consider this connection and provide insightful guidance when it comes to fashion and art for collectors, clients, and audiences worldwide. Both unique and expressive, today’s creatives are often continuously influenced by each other in mysterious and interesting ways.

One way “traditional and contemporary art” can aid fashion is by influencing the color schemes and patterns of clothing. Fine art paintings or street art murals can offer inspiration for the hues and textures that fashion designers utilize for their pieces. For instance, the intricate prints of an abstract painting inspired by nature could translate into a beautiful floral dress, or the bold brushstrokes of a Pop Art piece may inspire a bright and energetic outfit. We see this in fashion designers Diane Von Furstenberg’s amazing patterned wrap dresses to Cynthia Rowley’s fashion brand collaborations from her own fashion line to Pampers and Band-Aid brands!

Marilyn Minter X Edie Parker

Contemporary American artist Marilyn Minter explores feminism cleverly by weaving together layers of celebrity and fashion. Her sometimes visceral work was presented as a part of “A Year of Yes: Reimagining Feminism at the Brooklyn Museum.” Minter joined a year long series of ten diverse exhibitions. She participated in the 20162017 “Pretty/Dirty” exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, and her collaboration with Edie Parker produced two limited-edition clutches. The pearlescent acrylic styles were exclusively sold at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. The Carol Bag featured a “Glitter Mouth,” and the Jean Bag featured “Wet Kiss” by the artist. The exclusive limited edition only ran 15 of each of the styles and retailed at $1295

Another way is to encourage the promotion of contemporary artists through fashion events, such as runway shows or pop-up shops. This not only supports rising talent in the art world, but it also diversifies and adds a unique aspect to the fashion industry. Collaborating with artists can lead to creative and innovative designs that attract attention and stand out amongst other designers.

Ashley Longshore X Christian Siriano

Known for his all-embracing, across the board real-world acceptance of everyone, top fashion designer, Christian Siriano joined with artist and painter Ashley Longshore asking her to paint eight of his female muses, including Janelle Monáe, Lady Gaga, Laverne Cox, Frida Kahlo, Kate Moss, and Audrey Hepburn. The 6 ft x 5 ft portraits were clothed in Siriano’s spring/summer collection in 2020. Presenting as if it might be an art exhibition, Siriano told The Hollywood Reporter, The collection was inspired by this idea of modern pop artists, particularly Ashley, who painted today. Longshore added “This is what we need in America right now. I mean, the news is depressing. We need inspiration. We need color. We need clothes. We need music. We need poems.”

Furthermore, art and fashion can intersect in the creation of wearable art. While fashion is defined by its practicality, artists have challenged the boundaries by creating avant-garde clothing that serves as functional pieces of art. This is a great way for artists to showcase their creativity, as well as for fashion designers to incorporate fine art into their work.

Yoko Ono X Opening Ceremony

Menswear apparel line, Opening Ceremony, teamed up with Yoko Ono, who considers herself not just a celebrity, but an artist, to release a collection based on some sketches drawn by Ono titled the work Fashion for Men, which was filled with sheer cutouts and explicit handprint placements [called slightly bizarre by some critics]. With bold neon hues, the 52-piece collection was said to be inspired and made as a wedding present for the late John Lennon.

It is also important to consider not only the cultural impact but also the environmental sustainability of fashion and art. The fashion industry is known to produce a lot of waste and pollution, and there are emerging fashion designers who are making efforts to address this issue. By supporting sustainable fashion and artists who use ecofriendly materials, we can contribute to saving the planet while still enjoying beautiful artwork in fashion.

The connection between art and fashion is undeniable. It is important to recognize this relationship and utilize it, from promoting emerging artists and supporting sustainable fashion to encouraging creative collaborations and even wearable art, there are countless ways to merge these two worlds productively.

Banksy X Diesel O Diesel

Diesel, the Italian company led by Renzo Rosso is known for its out-of-the-box unconventional styles, merging street style and pop culture. The brand’s marketing campaign clearly states it was inspired by the “Better Out than In” project of 2013 created in New York by the great street artist Banksy.

Street artist Banksy was all the buzz in New York when he opened a special stall near Central Park in order to sell his “fake spray art” at incredibly low prices. The customers at the time bought the works and were unaware that they brought home artworks by the famous artist. At the time, the artist’s artworks in the press have been collected by celebrities such as Brad Pitt and others, when for remarkably high prices from $250,000 and up. The brand Diesel, inspired by this popup decided to secretly open a fake shop on Canal Street with a sign branded “DEISEL.” They sought to sell unique items at far reduced prices with individual counterfeit labels to continue the stunt. They created a video that went into the full story with hopes it would go viral and achieve their goal of global press and media. It worked, launching worldwide sales for the brand.

By staying up-to-date on current trends in both the ART X FASHION industries, one can provide valuable guidance to those seeking insightful and inspiring advice. Excerpts from the upcoming book and TV Series “The Pursuit of ART X FASHION, A Global Compendium by Rachel Vancelette. For more check out: www.vanglobalart.com

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