The Symphony of Art and Fashion

Haven’t we all heard the saying ‘Fashion is Art?’

Well, the growing collaborations between artists and fashion designers exemplifies this statement. Creative expression is at the core of both. From deriving inspiration and enhancing exclusivity, luxury fashion is looking to art just as art is looking to luxury fashion and together they’re taking over the world.

The halo effect of the alliances is seen as an important strategy by both brands and artists. The message of rarity and value that shines through is what draws consumers.

From Yves Saint Laurent's 1960s Piet Mondrian dresses to Louis Vuitton’s Florence store adorned with the works of artists such as Osvaldo Medici del Vascello and Massimo Listri fashion and art are meeting at diverse outlets. Prada’s Double Club at the Miami Art Baisel in 2017 showed how art exhibitions have also made space for brands, giving another dimension to the crossover. The idea is to create an experience beyond just shopping, one that reflects a niche and luxurious lifestyle.

Some of the most fascinating collaborations have created history. They have kept alive the prestige associated with their brands and given it a breath of fresh air by working closely with masters of art.

Elsa Schapiarelli x Salvador Dalí

When art and fashion are entwined together, it becomes a symbiotic relationship as is personified by what is known to be one of the oldest alliances between the two disciplines. The 1937 collaboration labelled “Dalí & Schiaparelli, In Daring Fashion,” is one where the name speaks for itself. Schiaparelli carved a direct path for Dalí into Parisian high society along with a new, niche audience. As for Schiaparelli, the alliance gave her brand an art heritage, something which was vied for by the likes of Coco Chanel.  The most iconic outcome of this partnership was the ‘Lobster Dress,’ crafted masterfully by Schiaparelli and inspired by Dalí’s lobster telephone. Designed for Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, there was a connotation behind the dress. The lobster, seen as an aphrodisiac was carefully placed along with parsley as garnish.

As quoted in Vogue, “these two iconoclasts altered the course of art and fashion in the 20th century.”

Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Richard Prince

Covid-19 has changed the world and it’s outlook on well-being. But back in 2008, Louis Vuitton already had a fresh perspective on health and safety and brought it to the runway. The distinctive collection was a collaboration with artist Richard Prince and fashion icon Marc Jacobs at the wheel. It featured models like Naomi Campbell donning simple, chic nurse uniforms complete with LV monogramed lace face masks and walking down the ramp. The inspiration came from Prince’s famous Nurse paintings and the collection embodied the same sexual spirit as the art. The LV bags carried by the models also reflected the essence of Prince’s art. The whole idea was representative of romance novels from the 40s, and it was executed to perfection. Don’t we all now wonder whether Louis Vuitton was a clairvoyant when he came up with this?

Prada x Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset

“Museums are where art goes to die, while public art takes on a life of its own,” said the iconic artist duo that has wowed the world with it’s integration of art, architecture and design.  Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset have helped create a fashion landmark. Yes, the Prada Marfa set against the backdrop of the Texas desert. A replica of the real Prada stores and what was originally intended to be remote Land Art like that of the 60s and 70s became a sensation and appeared in The Simpsons and on Beyonce’s Instagram. The idea for Prada Marfa actually took birth in Chelsea when the artists saw that the art world had been replaced by an influx of luxury stores.

In the words of Dragset, “It would exist more as documentation and a rumor, and at some point just disappear.” Well, that definitely didn’t happen.

Alexander McQueen x Damien Hirst

Another milestone blend of fashion and art was see in Alexander McQueen’s 10^th anniversary iconic skull scarf selection. Bringing creativity to it on a whole other level was artist Damien Hirst. Masters of their own craft, the two together produced pure magic. Reflecting Hirst’s Entomology series that use insects to create kaleidoscopic art, the thirty pieces all consist of breathtaking designs. Intricately placed together in geometric styles to create McQueen’s signature skull are insects such as butterflies and spiders. Putting a spin on the classic, Hirst and McQueen showed all and sundry that history can be created when the worlds collide.

Stella McCartney x Ed Ruscha

The best creations stem from common ideologies. This is something that was reflected in complete honesty on the collaboration between fashion designer Stella McCartney and American artists Ed Ruscha. McCartney’s take on cruelty-free fashion blends perfectly with Ruscha’s use of phrases like “No Leather Feathers or Fur,” “Veg Out,” and “Meat Free.” The fashion label’s 2016 ad campaign #stellacares saw Ruscha’s phrases superimposed on photographs of model and actress Amber Valletta echoing the brand’s stance on vegetarianism and environmentalism.

Put simply, this is the Art of Luxury.