ART AND FASHION

When I met E.P. Cutler at a Fashion and Street Culture symposium in 2011, I was blown away by her knowledge of everything fashion related and sharp wit.  We've stayed in touch over the past few years, and I've watched her accomplish marvelous things as a writer (she published PANTONE on Fashion: A Century of Color in Design in 2014), and I couldn't be more excited to announce the release of her newest book, Art + Fashion: Collaborations and Connections Between Icons.  Combining my two favorite topics, the book covers every important fashion and art collaboration; from Cecil Beaton and Jackson Pollock, to Mary Katrantzou and John Chamberlain, to Prada and Elmgren + Dragset.  I can't think of another volume that better reflects my interests.  It brings me great joy just to leaf through the glossy pages at a compilation of so many beautiful and significant creations from the intersection of the two worlds I most love.

Congratulations to my dear friend Elizabeth.  You can buy the book here.

PLEATS PLEASE

I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the new Taschen book, PLEATS PLEASE, outlining the 20-year history of Issey Miyake's clothing line that drastically changed the guidelines for what a garment should provide to its wearer.

"PLEATS PLEASE are clothes designed to suit the needs and style of every woman.  They are valued not only for heir beauty but also for their practicality.  The clothes continue to be as popular today partly due to the fact that they project an air of authority suitable to any occasion, whether special, everyday or for travel; regardless, they require almost no maintenance."

As the ultimate art-to-wear garments, Issey Miyake's PLEATS PLEASE collections are not only a feat of technology (a process which is described in detail in the book), but is also deeply tied to contemporary art.  In addition to exhibitions such as Big Bang: Creation and Destruction in 20th Century Art, PLEATS PLEASE has completed a number of Guest Artist Series, resulting in garments  adorned with the work of Yasumasa Morimura (pictured above), Nobuyoshi Araki, and Tim Hawkinson.

I'm wearing PLEATS PLEASE scarf/blouse, Ellen Tracy silk skirt, vintage leather bag, and Calvin Klein leather booties.