Fashion & Art: Imitation Is The Most Sincere Form Of Flattery

I love art and I love fashion. Nothing makes me happier than when the two are gracefully combined. I was therefore excited to see the pictures of Alexander McQueen's Spring/Summer 2008 runway show where he featured a model coiffed with a swarm of lovely butterflies. Was it in hommage to my favorite David Lachapelle work entitled Nature's Naked Loveliness? Perhaps. David Lachapelle photographed Alexander McQueen with his muse, the late Isabella Blow, back in 1996. Even if it wasn't deliberate, the effect was nonetheless spectacular! Bravo Alexander.

The McQueen runway look can't help but remind us of an earlier successful pairing of art and fashion - Yves Saint Laurent's 1965 Mondrian inspired shift dress. The dress pictured below is part of the Victoria and Albert's Costume Institute in London. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City also has one as does the Fondation Pierre Berge - Yves Saint Laurent in Paris. The latter's website has a section on the Saint-Laurent's inspiration behind the dress including his sketches. Link to www.ysl-hautecouture.com

Photographic References:

Row 1:
David Lachapelle, "Nature's Naked Loveliness" (2003)
Alexander McQueen, Spring/Summer 2008 (Photo: Marcio Madeira)

Row 2:
Piet Mondrian, "Composition With Red and Blue" (1939)
Yves-Saint Laurent, Haute Couture 1965 (Photo: Victoria & Albert Museum Archives)

Comments

[Romy66]

Well said Helene! Derek - what are you trying to prove? There's no merit in having knowledge if you use it as a weapon. Your comment just makes you look weak and insecure. Maybe this isn't the blog for you.

Romy66

[Helene]

Thanks for your comment Derek. If you knew anything about The Luxe Chronicles, you would know that corrections are more than welcome when left in the spirit of furthering the exchange of information and advancing a conversation. Also, if you knew anything about manners or civility you wouldn't start a comment with an insult.

Peace and Love? How about some class with that?

Sincerely,

Helene

[Derek Brown]

if u knew anything about isabella blow and alexander mcqueen you'd know the answer : philip treacy. she discovered both mcqueen and treacy and she was known for wearing treacy's hats all the time. lachapelle photographed her wearing one of her treacy hats in 1996. the fashion show for summer 08 was a TRIBUTE to blow's recent death! him and treacy designed.. treacy ofcourse designed the hats. BOTH hats were designed by the same designer, philip treacy.

PEACE AND LOVE

[mimi6666662]

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