Like art, clothing is a form of self-expression. As an art student I try to incorporate as much art into my lifestyle as I can so that I can always be engaging in and inspired by art. A lot of contemporary artists study previous works of art in order to understand why they were successful, and recently fashion has been brushing up on its art history. Fine art has been appearing on everything from haute couture to streetwear. From artist collaborations to minimalist screen-printed t-shirts, our bodies are becoming walking art galleries.
One of the biggest designer-artist collaborations just dropped this month and it’s the new Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons MASTERS collection. The collection of leather and silk accessories features Koons’ recreations of famous Old Master paintings. Koons isn’t the first artist the fashion house has collaborated with, following in the footsteps of other artists like Yayoi Kusama and Cindy Sherman. And if you have a few thousand dollars to spare, one of these new bags would be the perfect investment. Neither art nor Louis Vuitton depreciates in value.
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Because of the increase in popularity and demand for wearable art pieces, more mainstream streetwear and clothing stores have started incorporating iconic pieces in their stock of collections. One of my favorite online stores, rad.co, has a whole section of t-shirts and hoodies featuring famous paintings. They also have relevant phrases, like “I Woke Up Like This”, written over them in minimalist block print. This collection features a more punk vibe and can easily be styled for everyday wear with anything, such as skinny jeans and trainers or a button-up denim skirt and booties. Streetwear brand Supreme has also collaborated with contemporary and featured Old Master artists in some of their capsule collections. The prints are still able to keep the brand to its 90s skater-culture aesthetic while spreading fine art. And these are only some of the many brands today that are making art more than just a square on a white wall.
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Aside from online stores and exclusive capsule collections, art in fashion is a lot more accessible than you might think. Stores like Urban Outfitters have featured t-shirts with famous works screen printed on them, either as originals or in a different styles. Some I have in my own collection include the Great Wave and the Last Supper featuring the apostles holding red solo cups. Both are great conversation starters, especially if you go to an art school like SCAD. Since a lot of wearable art I own is the form of t-shirts, they’re fairly easy to style and can be my go to for any outfit. I like to layer them in the fall to add visual interest to the outfit, or even wearing them with cutoff denim shorts on a lazy day. And since you’re wearing an proven successful piece of art, your outfit automatically looks slightly more put together. And bonus points for you if you know any fun facts about the piece you decide to wear! If you’re looking to invest in some new statement pieces for your wardrobe, definitely consider art as your new wardrobe staple.
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