Fashion and Art are always directly correlated, so it's no surprise that the one trend that remains ever green is art inspired clothing. Whether its paint splatters or architectural detailing, anyone can easily wear this trend...
Tracing back the history of this trend, the influence of artists on fashion designers started shortly after World War I, when Paul Poiret used Raoul Dufy's vibrantly coloured and patterned fabrics in the Fauve style.
Recently, the 67th Golden Globe Award 2010 saw a re-emergence of art-inspired dresses…be it the architectural silhouette, different coloured hues splashed on the fabric…or swirly designs offering the insane but artsy look to the attire.
In fact, the back in the ’6os, Yves Saint Laurent interpreted Mondrian's colour-block paintings on dresses. Whether it’s Chanel’s tube dress or Versace’s chiffon flowy gown…or closer home, Poonam Bhagat’s Pop art displays on western garments crafted out of natural hand woven fabrics, everything has a tinge of art in it. Be it the jackets, tube tops, tunics, kurtas, sheath dresses or caps…this trend is omnipresent.
Though international designers have always tried their presentations on western silhouettes, one of the reputed labels in India which introduced and garnered appreciation because of its art in beautifying the six yard garment and painting it into a canvas is none other than Satya Paul.
Pop art, abstract prints, artistic expressions…featured on ties, dresses, trousers, skirts with hand paintings, digital printings or bold geometric prints, everything gives an impression of artsy fashion. Renowned photographer Rohit Chawla recently reinvented the paintings of Gustav Klimt by recreating the magic of that era. Designers like Nida Mahmood and Joy Mitra were roped in for the creation of those opulent garments flaunted by Chitrangada Singh.
Nida Mahmood’s last collection, inspired from Bollywood, also had the glimpse of art on fashion. Designer Jatin Kochhar who is well versed with the other side of art believes that presenting an art or a painting on fabric is a very challenging task… “One needs to have proper understanding of both the media.
Three seasons back, Lakme Fashion Week’s Spring Summer edition had an in house Art Studio created at the famous NCPA theatre in Mumbai, not forgetting to mention the art installations that one saw at the last edition of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. Even the recently ended Chivas Studio celebrated art through fashion.