Born under the same star, couture fashion and fine art aren't such different métiers. It follows, then, that the two would come together variously through history. And in 2019, fashion-art collaborations are clearly having a moment. From sculptural installations in retail spaces, through to artists informing clothing design, here are a few of the best partnerships so far.
LOEWE's exhibition at photography festival PHotoESPAÑA
LOEWE are highlighting the work of French photographer Hervé Guibert who rose to prominence in the 80s in Paris.
He lost his life early to AIDS after he became known for his photography column in Le Monde which involved his photography and writing about the effects of his AIDS diagnosis - in a time where the subject was controversial.
An Enquiring Mind: Manolo Blahník at the Wallace Collection
Beginning in June but continuing through July 2019, the Wallace Collection and Manolo Blahník will present An Enquiring Mind: Manolo Blahník at the Wallace Collection. The exhibition showcases an edit of shoe designs from Blahník’s private archives set amongst the masterpieces of the Wallace Collection.
What's more, the Wallace Collection is also hosting a series of talks to complement the exhibition. You can buy tickets to such things as 'Fashion and Power'- during which, curator of Arms and Armour, Tobias Capwell will be joined by fashion historian Amber Butchart and fashion photographer Ram Shergill, July 7th.
The Celine Art Project
Under the stewardship of Hedi Slimane, the fashion house has has debuted its Celine Art Project. Working with both established artists such as Oscar Tuazon and Theaster Gates alongside emerging artists like Rindon Johnson and Elaine Cameron Weir, Celine has initiated a campaign to totally transform some of their spaces globally, through the eyes of sculptural artists.
Not simply a marketing plan or a reimagining of retail spaces, the project is designed to inform the whole creative process of design. Indeed Hedi Slimane has made clear his intention to involve other forms of artistry in his designs. Last September, he collaborated with American visual artist Christian Marclay, for his first collection with the brand. Marclay's onomatopoeic paintings were transposed into embroideries and prints, appearing on both the womens' and mens' SS19 collections.
You can see some of the Art Project's installations in Paris show rooms, London Bond Street, New York's Soho store, LA's Rodeo Drive as well as many other locations.
Gucci X Chatsworth House: Artist In Residence
A new initiative envisioned by Alessandro Michele, Gucci and Chatsworth House, part of Gucci Places, debut ‘Artist in Residence’ with Rachel Feinstein.
Chatsworth House was the first of Gucci’s designated Gucci Places, an innovative programme designed to help people explore locations around the world that have inspired the fashion House. Chatsworth was chosen by Creative Director Alessandro Michele as the inaugural site for the project since it provided the setting for the Gucci Cruise 2017 advertising campaign.
In line with Creative Director Alessandro Michele’s philosophy, artists are encouraged to create original artworks inspired by life at the estate. The completed works are then installed at the estate, where they remain on view for several years.
Saint Laurent Photography Exhibition
Currently in the Rive Droite store in Paris, there is an exhibition curated by Saint Laurent's Anthony Vaccarello and Hamiltons Gallery (London) in place with pieces from Helmut Newton and Daido Moriyama on display and available to buy. During men’s fashion week there will also be a cinema screening open to the public.’
Helmut Newton has a rich history with the fashion house. Some of his most famous fashion photographs consist of a nude model paired with model and actress Vibeke Knudsen in an Yves Saint Laurent suit.
Louis Vuitton's Artistic Collaborations Exhibition, Los Angeles
Louis Vuitton X, is an exhibition space dedicated to showcasing the brand's best archive pieces that have involved artistic collaborations. With over 180 items from the House’s archives, the exhibition traces the House’s pioneering creative journey with a remarkable collection of early twentieth-century special-order trunks; beautiful art deco window displays commissioned by Louis Vuitton’s grandson, Gaston-Louis; iconic Monogram bags reworked by renowned artists and designers, such as Karl Lagerfeld, Rei Kawakubo, Cindy Sherman and Frank Gehry; and original collaborations and commissions by artists including Yayoi Kusama, Richard Prince and Zaha Hadid. It culminates with the Artycapucines collection, the House’s most recent artistic exchange, featuring iconic Capucines bags–the modern classic named after the street on which Louis Vuitton opened his first store– reimagined by six leading contemporary artists: Sam Falls, Urs Fischer, Nicholas Hlobo, Alex Israel, Tschabalala Self and Jonas Wood.
LOEWE's Collectible Lookbook
Lookbooks are episodic in nature, portraying seasonal looks for the brand. LOEWE have taken a slightly different approach, however, creating a collectible hard cover Publication, features Chinese
model Fei Fei Sun photographed by Fumiko Imano.
The new Publication features the women’s Fall Winter 2019 collection photographed in a minimalist, enclosed space within Paris’ Maison de l’UNESCO.
Natasha Bird is the Former Executive Editor (Digital) of ELLE.
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