MONET & MESH

As the face of the Impressionist movement, Claude Monet enchanted the late 19th century with his many paintings of blooming gardens and lucent waters. Holding nature as his muse, many of Monet’s paintings were inspired by real environments. It was at his home garden in Giverny, France where Monet produced his most notable series titled “Water Lilies,” which consisted of approximately 250 oil paintings of varying color and composition. His signature short, layered strokes created pastel landscapes that have earned their rightful place in museums around the world, including many in Monet’s native home of France.

Translating the allure of Monet’s art into contemporary fashion, South Korean designer Minju Kim pioneered a unique movement with her signature drape. Since starting her namesake brand in 2015, Kim has won several fashion awards and was recently crowned the winner of Netflix’s reality competition “Next in Fashion.” Composed of voluminous silhouettes and opulent patterns, Kim’s feminine designs play with floral motifs, ruffled hems and sheer accents. Her ability to manipulate fabric through design allows her to create ensembles that are both delicate and structured.

Despite the contrast between Monet’s antiquated art style and Kim’s modern approach to fashion, the resulting coalescence can only be described as ethereal. Imagine stepping into a Monet painting, the soft grass beneath your heels laces up your ankles with each pace as the high afternoon sun pours over you. Pastel cotton and silks make themselves at home amongst the surrounding garden, while their loose silhouettes hang off the body and billow in the wind. Mesh fabrics play like shadows on the skin, exposing it to the warm sun. Sunlit cheekbones reflect the glow that seems to gloss over everything. Who said a look can’t be worth a thousand words?

STYLE: MARTA VAITKAITIS WORDS: KSENIYA LUKIY PHOTO: JILLY FELTON GLAM: OLIVIA SIMONE & MEGAN HEMSTREET EDITING: MARIA VITALE 45 VIM