Fashion and Art Unite
I have a love and affinity for art and culture, and have explored it in all my travels. Recently, I was skimming through W, and noticed this editorial on “Art and Commerce”. This piece featured models who were photographed in a variety of different art havens all across the world. Having experienced and enjoyed the MOMA in NYC, the George Pompidou in Paris, as well as a handful of other Parisien galleries, museums, and jardins, this piece really suit me and my love for all these avenues. This collision of fashion, art, museums, and culture is fantastic.
Paris is full of archival sanctuaries, from immensely popular museums, to tiny galleries that are exquisitely undiscovered. The Centre George Pomidou in Paris is such a fresh and unique museum. This museum of modern art, located in the third arrondisement, is so eye-catching due to its reverse-natured exterior. Pipes and bars of every color line the outside of the building, as if it wasn’t fully completed during development. The photograph below shows a glitzy collaboration of gold lame’, Louis Vuitton, androgeneity, and a series of multi-color pipes that represent the Centre Pomidou so well.
The blue stands out so perfectly in this editorial piece below. These two fashionistas stand amongst a legend’s work at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Pablo Picasso’s eccentric piece of art is so odd and eery compared to the perfection of these woman (or in this case man and woman) and their beautiful garb. The penny loafers on the sculpture are very fitting for this shoot, as they tie in a certain fashion forward flare. The Hermes Kelly, in electric blue skin, is beyond impeccable and pops against the monotone colors of her outfit. The MOMA is such a timeless museum, the travertine creme covers the halls that are decked with antiquitous pieces from around the globe, and this photoshoot fits it perfectly.
Le Jardin du Carrousel in Paris is so stunning and surreal. Just surrounding the Arc Du Triumphe, beyond Le Champs Elyssee, this garden is nestled amongst the most amazing architecture. Paris radiates so much history, even the simplest garden has so much detail, which makes every inch so special. Beyond the green grass, and tailored hedges, you will see the most beautiful old buildings and the perfect background to any photograph, especially the one in this piece. The black, white, and pink are so vibrant in comparison to the muted colors that surround this coy character. Marc Jacobs has shown his true colors in this dress, complimented by a traditional Chanel quilted bubble-gum pink bag, and whimsical Bruno Fisoni heels.
The simplistically delicate Van De Weghe fine art gallery in NYC housed the next montage with such grace. A gallery that has featured Picasso, Warhol, and so many other renowned artists, was a key part to this photograph in contrasting the austere nature with vibrant color. Donning a Bally wool jacket and an intricately patterned silk blouse, with Balenciaga’s salmon dress (worn as a skirt), this outfit acts as the centerpiece to the room. She acts as a sculpture to examine, her porcelain features and stance are art in itself.
Le Galerie Rive Gauche in Paris, a quaint yet brilliant gallerie, was the next venue for this editorial. Our femme fatale is in head to toe Christian Lacroix Haute Couture. The sequin and lace cardigan, head piece, necklace, bralette, and chiffon top are all fabulous works of this legendary French designer. Oh, and we can’t forget her petit Alaia purse dangling from her hand. Her stance and demeanor are wonderfully contradictory to the painting behind her. The colors, and opposition of the vibe are complex and perfectly captured.
The JGM Galerie is edgier and rougher compared to some of the more pristine galleries in Paris. Below, we catch a glimpse of these characteristics with the rather large noir gorilla, in contrast with the dainty floral and gold wall-mirror. The model is channeling the gorilla’s black with her structured solid black Lanvin skirt, gloves, and heels. The rest, Lanvin as well, is tieing in the warmth of the surrounding pieces in the room. I love how they chose many French designers for this editorial, as they coincide with location and true Parisien beauty.
Back to New York City we go, to the PaceWildenstein Gallery. With locations all over the city, this gallery houses some of the finest works of art from the 20th century. In this photo below we catch a glimpse of current art, with a mosaic-esque Bill Clinton. Our lovely woman character looks ashamed at either of the two “men” behind her. She is wearing an emerald silk Valentino coat, a brick colored Valentino bag, gloves by Carolina Amato, and jewlery by Dior and Alexis Bittar.
At the MOMA once again, this photo captures completely raw aspects. The metal, the gray marble floor, the caged chairs, as well as the piece of modern art that lays in the back right corner. She is completely melding with this environment in her Longchamp’s silk black & white blouse, her Louis Vuitton wool skirt, her Linda Derecter sunglasses, and her Chantal Thomass knit hoisery. The only pieces that are keeping her from morphing with her surrounding are the Stephen Jones millinery hat, Fendi clutch, and the Roger Vivier shoes. This ecstatic pink adds flare and life to this organic backdrop.
Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac in Paris is a modern and serenely gorgeous gallery. It’s art, usually very whimsical and colorful, is so vibrant against its white walls and concrete floors. With art from the British Gilbert & George in the background, we see a model and art collide. Below, her body bends as if she is a work of art, and her ensemble is so fitting with the graphic designs behind her. She is wearing Erdem’s silk and lace top and skirt, Dior pearls, Pierre Mantoux ribbed hoisery, and simplistic Armani pumps. Wonderfully intricate and ethereal, this photo captures art in a gallery. Art by the model and her fashion, and art by the brilliant pictures hanging on the wall.
xx Isabella