Fashion as an Art

TODAY’S RUNWAYS ARE TEEMING WITH ABSTRACT, AVANT-GARDE PIECES THAT, WHILE SEEMINGLY ABSURD ON THE SURFACE, SERVE AS POWERFUL ARTISTIC MEDIUMS FOR EXPRESSION. MOVE OVER PAINTING AND SCULPTURE– FASHION IS HERE TO CLAIM ITS RIGHTFUL SEAT IN THE WORLD OF ART.

More often than not many of the pieces on the runway are “too avant-garde” for the average consumer to wear. Alexander McQueen, Iris Van Herpen, Maison Margiela, Rei Kawakubo (just to name a few) are often criticized by the public for these reasons. In a consumer-driven world, what is the appeal of putting these ornamental pieces on the runway, you may ask? The answer lies in the designers’ desire to create art–not a commercial product. Functionality is not fashion’s sole purpose: storytelling, emotion, curiosity, and expressionism all go into inspiring a designer’s work.

RE–

DEFINING ARTThe theory of aesthetics in art relates to a work’s ability to evoke reactions, intellect, and imagination. A fashion show can captivate an audience in a similar way through the performance, artistic makeup, music, and, of course–crazy garments. Critics in the art and fashion industry have long argued over whether fashion is really a form of art; and while it is rarely elevated to the same status as a Da

Vinci, it is one of the purest forms of lived art.

Art is defined as “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination [...], producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” It is not limited to the traditional idea of a canvas hanging on a museum wall, art can be lived and experienced in our daily lives. The Costume Institute at The

Metropolitan Museum of Art redefines fashion, showcasing it to the public and art critics around the world as an intricate mode of artistic expression, pushing beyond the typical confines of a canvas.

PERFORMANCE VS

PAINTING

Art historians universally analyze art by looking at its form, function, content, and context. If we analyzed Alexander McQueen’s renowned No. 13 show using the same lens, we would find that he used natural tones, ruffled lace, and elegant tailoring to lure the audience into a serene state. Of course, this chaotic fantasy was jolted to a halt when robotic arms began spray painting a woman in a pristine white dress. By using fear tactics in his shows to portray the theme of nature-versus-machine, McQueen created an unforgettable experience of performative art that raised the bar for how fashion shows should be conducted. He disrupted the traditional ideals of fashion shows and proved that the presentation itself can work in tandem with overall artistic expression.

Although some people might not understand the reason for a dress to be spray-painted on a runway, it proves that fashion can induce the same intrigue and passion that a Jackson Pollock can. What may seem to have just been splatters of paint on a dress or a canvas, could actually be an allusion to the anxiety in one’s head or the untamed forces of nature. Designers such as Iris Van Herpen, Thierry Mugler, Maison Margiela, and Rick Owens channel the same artistic energy into their designs and shows to provoke a response and create an experience, rather than focusing strictly on what’s going to sell best in stores. So, the next time you see an avant-garde piece on a runway that’s mocked for its absurdity, take a step back and think: where would art be if people thought the same about a Picasso?