How can anyone think that fashion is not art? Though apparently some art aficionados resist the idea, fashion at its most haute is possibly harder to effect than some other art forms. Fashion’s canvas is three dimensional, hugely variable, and anything but static. Material options seem limited only by an ability to drape, fold, attach, stitch, glue, 3-D print or some combination. Ideally, the end result looks good and makes its wearer feel fabulous. Beyond the design, there’s human sensibility, ego, trends, and plenty of financial investment involved. Yeeesh. Choosing a frame that works with a painting seems easier…
One reason I believe fashion is art: The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Anna Wintour Costume Institute. Its latest exhibit, Manus x Machina: Fashion an the Age of Technology, shows – dramatically and beautifully – that atelier seamstresses and advancements in technology combine to help designers bring their imaginings to life better than either could do alone. And technology helps non-models, non-actresses, and more people overall, dress with some of the niceties that heretofore were reserved for the few and the privileged.
The show is bigger than one blog entry. For now, some movie and reading recommendations that show fashion is art and as inspirational as any other “real” art form.
Movies:
Dior and I (Raf Simons amazes)
Books:
Steve McQueen: Savage Beauty by Andrew Bolton
My Mrs. Brown by William Norwich (because it’s cute)
