The Resurgence of Classicism ISSUE XIX
By Hareer Al-Qaragolie In today’s day and age, it’s rare to see an artist Whether it is skirts inspired by patterns of stick to one medium. We see this phenomenon the Renaissance, or having a theme at the in our everyday lives as well. It’s similar to having Met Gala dedicated to the role of Christian a major and a minor: you have a focus in one area, mythologies, the fashion industry looks to the an interest in possibly continuing in another, past for inspiration. The MET Gala iconically while also joining a club encompasses themes dedicated to a completely surrounding eras and different direction as a significant periods that creative outlook or artistic inspire fashion. We see the expression. In the creative Met Gala as an opportunity industry, the themes behind to put celebrities to the test our forms of expression of becoming fashion icons— are timeless. A piece of art consider Ezra Miller’s ode to can make you feel like you the theme ‘Camp’ through have gone through a time his look at the 2019 Met machine, whether it reminds Gala. This massive event you of a 1920s flapper girl itself is a creative outlet for or it takes you to the future celebrities to demonstrate where cyborgs are the trend. their understanding of artistic Despite this, we see the movements – the intersection current themes of expression of antique traditions with leaning towards a classicism, innovative ideas of modernity. emphasizing our generation This allows us, as viewers, to as the nostalgic era. witness as well-known artists Classicism has always been an aesthetic interest. explore fashion as a medium of expression. Speaking of the height of classicism, Timothée This resurgence of classicism correlates with Chalamet’s rise was not only due to his audacious the rise in vintage shopping. There is a certain roles and cinematic performances, but his charm in buying and collecting items that lived French appearance that inspired an Instagram a past life. Recently, with the rising of antiquity page—@chalametinart—which inserts his face in our surroundings, celebrities and creatives are into artistic masterpieces. His appearance within connecting classicism and modernity through his breakthrough role as Elio in Call Me by Your art, clothing, and music. Living in a generation Name evoked another era. In a rare case like this, where vintage is the trend and celebrities are Chalamet’s unplanned success as a model figure releasing fragrances and music at the same time in the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Titian indicates the boundless opportunities creativity rocketed his career through the aestheticism of can reach. Artists are using the sense of time and his character and personality. different creative outlooks to not only attract Antiquity has been a constant muse for the their audience, but as a way to expand their self creative industry, particularly the fashion brand and claim their mark as artists through industry. different mediums. 43 GRAPHIC BY SARAH MANDEL
