Monday, January 17, 2011

Fashion Inspiration: ART







One of the things I love most in my city is the Milwaukee Art Museum.  Not only is it beautiful on the inside, but the outside is architecturally breathtaking. The head architect on the project, Santiago Calatrava once stated that he created "not a building, but a piece of the city", to which I could not agree more!  The MAM is one of the main focal points of Milwaukee because of its pure beauty and elegance.  The structure's crisp white wings and marble staircases truly exhibits a heaven-like orb that centers around beauty and fantasy like illusions.
MAM
Since I am an official member of the MAM, I decided today to put my creativity to the test and challenge myself to find pieces of Art to inspire new Fashion ideas!  Below, I took photos of many artworks that I found inspirational when it comes to Fashion and designed looks around those pieces.  Some are simple landscapes while others are sculptures, abstract pieces, and formal portraits.  Enjoy and GET INSPIRED from what's around you!



Inspiration: Gerard Richter's  "Breath", 1989                                                            



Interpretation: Shawls Smith Scarf Collection 34.00-100.00

 For this piece,  I looked at the artists work and noticed all of the colors and the texture used from the oil paint and instantly thought of scarves.  The Scarves shown represent the texture within the painting and the artists use of color.

Inspiration: Robert Irwin's "Untitled" Piece 1969
Interpretation: Pewter Necklace 60.00

For this piece titled ironically "Untitled", I noticed the shapes used within the sculpture and thought of  Next Door's stunning Pewter Necklaces.  This necklace captures the essence of the sculpture with its orb like shape, the coloring.

                                                    

Inspiration: Chakaia Booker, Tire Art

Chakaia Booker, Tire Art

Interpretation:
Seven for All Mankind Black Skinny Jeans 149.00
Buffalo Slash Tire Top  84.00
Shawls Smith Scarf 34.00

Up Close Shot

For this piece, I wanted to capture the texture in Booker's art, which is of course,the rubber in the tires.  This top by Buffalo has amazing detailing in the arms and the bodice which gives a unique play to any simple black top and creates movement.

Inspiration: MAM Outside Landscape




Interpretation:
Missme Skinny Whipstitch Jeans 98.00
Textile Junkie Bib Tee 48.00
Shawls Smith Aqua Scarf 34.00
RRT Pewter Cuff 52.00
RRT Pewter Earrings 18.00
Nicole Lee Laced Floral Stitch Bag 83.00

For this particular looks, I wanted to capture many things.  First, I wanted to convey the purity in the snow outside the MAM, the shape and movement in the sculpture, and the blue and silver accents that Lake Michigan offered in the backdrop.  For this I used a Textile Junkie top, which although just a"white tee" has all different lengths and shapes used in the back and front to really add that special touch to the piece, similar to the sculpture.  I used the blue and silver accents to make the look very serene, similar to the landscape and bring a serene looks to a cold atmosphere, and lastly, I used the purse to bring a sense of warmth to finish off the look.

Inspiration: Duane Hanson "Janitor", 1973

Interpretation:
Splendid Navy Stripe Henley 80.00
Citizens of Humanity Grey Skinny Jeans 176.00
Cowboy Double Strap Belt w/ Studs  84.00
Shawls Smith Tan Scarf 34.00

This was hands down the funnest piece to interpret and I think we did a great job!!  The color interpretation is dead on, and we used colors that many would not normally put together.  This is the perfect example of HAVING FUN WITH FASHION and getting inspired!
Inspiration:  Harvey K. Littleton "Lemon/Red Crown" 1989

Interpretation:
Free People Crown Jacket 168.00
Free People Boho Red Hat 28.00
Shawls Smith Red Scarf: 34.00

The bottom of this jacket really captures the curvature of Littleton's "Crown" piece.   It exhibits the clean lines and sophistication of the sculpture itself and not to mention is WARM!

Inspiration: Frederic Leighton's "1st Baron Leighton of Stratton"

Interpretation:
Hazel Ivory Tunic 78.00
Citizens of Humanity Medium Wash Skinny Jeans 193.00
Pewter Necklace 70.00

Back View

This outfit was all about capturing the lines the artist used in his painting "the Barron".  The lines in this stunning Hazel Tunic really capture the movement in the portrait, and exemplify an old world appeal.
Inspiration #1: Ewe's Men's Cloth, African Republic of Congo

Inspiration #2: Gerard's Valcin's Command Fieldworkers, 1971

Interpretation:
Hazel Strapless Spring Dress 100.00
Shawls Smith Peach Scarf: 34.00
Chain Necklace 30.00
Peach Flower Charm 42.00
Gold Hoop Earrings 10.00
Fashion Express Bag 73.00
Various Brown Beaded Bracelets 10.00-18.00

I absolutely fell in love with Ewe's Quilt above, and really thought this dress showed many of the patterns, shapes, and colors used within that masterful piece.  The accessories really tie this outfit together to give a very boho-chic look, perfect for any spring or summer event!





Inspiration: Eva Hesse, "Right After", 1969

Interpretation:
1921 Light Stitched Jeans 184.00
Hazel Ivory Hole Shrug 84.00
Free People Metallic Racerback Top 38.00
Michael Stars Lace Cami 48.00
Gold Leaf Earrings 36.00

Front View

For this piece I wanted my model (thanks Ash!) to move around to mimic the the structure of this minimalist piece.  This outfit captures the simplicity in lines, but still a "wow" factor, which comes into play when you see the metallics in the racerback top and the texture of shrug.  Perfect for any beach day or summer concert!
Inspiration: Tara Donovan "Bluffs", 2009

Interpretation:
BB Dakota Silver Button Up 74.00
Shawls Smith Violet Scarf 34.00
Paige Skinny Jeggings 166.00
Free People Racerback Top 38.00
The first thing I want to point out about Tara Donovan's piece is its a great example of minimalisim because its entirely constructed of buttons, which in turn, bring out many violet hues, giving the sculpture a very "glacier-like" look.  In turn, I used many purple and silver hue's to interpret this design, and really capture the essence of Donovan's simple lines and colors.  I think overall, this may be my favorite piece because of the color usage and simplicity.
Inspiration: Andy Warhol's "Campbell's Soup", 1965

Interpretation Can Number 1:
Michael Stars Peach V-Neck 55.00
Michael Stars Forest Green Tank 36.00
True Religion Distressed Jeans 224.00
Shawls Smith Laney Scarf 68.00


Interpretation Can Number 2:
Michael Stars Purple Quarter Length Top 48.00
Aqua Racerback Tank 36.00
True Religion Dark Becky Fit Jeans 198.00
Shawls Smith Vibrant Patterned Scarf 68.00

Not only is Andy Warhol one of my favorite artists, but these had to be two of my favorite outfits.  They are simple yes, but they are COMFORTABLE and perfect for any High School or College student in a hurry, be comfortable, and look ADORABLE!

Inspiration: Three Quarter Cuirasser Armor 1605-1610, Italian

Interpretation:
Linea Domani Silver Snake Print Sequen Dress 206.00
RRT Design Pewter Necklace 60.00


This piece was almost a dead on match for me. The shined silver in the armor  is most definitely portrayed in this Linea Domani Silver evening dress and gives a modern edge to a century old piece.





Model: Ashley Anton
Photography: Amanda Frank and Sherry Koeppen




























 



3 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. are the works priced so that people can buy them on-line?

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  3. you can go to shopatnextdoor.com to find pieces or visit the store located in the Sendiks towne center in Brookfield Wisconsin.

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