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.

SOUNDSUITS in BOSTON

Over the weekend, I made a special visit to Boston to see the work of one of my very favorite artists, Nick Cave, at the Institute of Contemporary Art.  (See my original Nick Cave post from over 3 years ago.)  Luckily for me, my two very best friends also live in Boston, so I was able to kill 3 birds with one stone, as it were.

Nick Cave (b. 1959) has built his artistic career on breaking down barriers between visual art, performance, and costume.  His Soundsuits are some of the most beautiful things to behold, and take on an even greater persona when they are worn during Cave's choreographed performances.  I had the pleasure of viewing HEARD•NY last year at Grand Central Station, and discovered firsthand the wonderfully unique and mesmerizing movement of the Soundsuits.  The ICA show, on view through May 4th, includes a number of Cave's ubiquitous suits, which he considers armor for the body.  Also on view are some of Cave's newer works, which extend past the realm of the wearable costume.  I'll never cease to be hypnotized by the detail and beauty of his work, and look forward to seeing another performance where the Sounsuits come to life.

Dress: Vintage
Tights: Hue
Necklaces: Various, with bird ornaments
Pumps: Sam Edelman

Photos of me by Kathy Paciello; other photos by me.

CREATIVELY GIFTED

In the spirit of the shopping season, I've put together a collection of (mostly affordable) gift ideas for the artfully minded individual.  I would love to give or receive everything on this page!  

Not pictured is my absolute favorite gift: a museum membership.  Not only does it generally provide the recipient with free admission, discounts, and access to special events, it also supports the institution and its ability to bring art to others.

Happy shopping!

Knitta Artist Series Hand-wrapped Sunglasses, $130

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner, $21

ABEX Crayon Set, $16

Art Memo Game, $19

Watercolor Tyvek Mighty Wallet, $15

New Media Art, $10

Bond No.9 Parfum, $195

Basquiat (Basic Art), $10 

Hokusai Great Wave Scarf, $60

Moleskine Passions Style Journal, $19.95

Lukas Designer's Gouache Set, $14.40

Nick Cave Punching Bag, $70

Unicorn Tapestry Tie, $50

SOUNDSUITS

Sometimes the best approach to getting dressed is throwing on a few favorite pieces and calling it a day. This ensemble was inspired by one of my most beloved contemporary artists, Nick Cave, and it centers around my favorite color, GREEN.

Nick Cave is a contemporary artist whose work simultaneously incorporates art, fashion, costume, performance, and dance. You may remember his work from the "Monsters, Inc." spread in the September 2010 issue of American Vogue.

His Soundsuits, made of a myriad of different materials, are studies in the movement and sound made by the person wearing them. These works are beautiful as sculptures, but take on a whole new meaning when worn (often by Cave himself) during a performance.

As an African American artist, dancer, and designer from a humble background, Cave explores the intersection of culture and consumerism in his strikingly gorgeous costumes.

The Soundsuits are meant to symbolize traditional African ceremonial garb and also reference the haute couture creations of avant garde fashion.

The central theme of these works is the simultaneous isolation and insulation of culture--particularly, for Cave, of coming to terms with his African descent in American society.

Cave is currently the director of the Graduate Fashion program at the Art Institute of Chicago. You can find out more about his work at the SoundSuitShop.

The Soundsuits are so quirky and kitschy, with their bright colors and fun textures, styling an outfit around them was quite a pleasure.

I started with the funky faux fur jacket (which looks like it could have been part of a Soundsuit in a previous life) and then added a few bright accessories.

I'm wearing a faux fur jacket from F21, Obey tee, boys' thrifted Levi's 511s, a vintage silk scarf, J. Crew anklets, Lisa F. Pliner Idelle platform sandals, a vintage reptile Nicholas Reich handbag, and my Grandmother's emerald ring.

Even though they have about a 50 year age difference, I think this bag and the shoes were meant for each other--see how the green arch echoes the hue of the bag? Together at last!

[Cave images from latimesblogs.latimes.com, artuga.tumblr.com, buamai.com, hypebeast.com, palmbeachillustrated.com, and blogs.tcpalm.com, respectively.]