The Fusion of Fashion and Art

Rodarte Spring Collection Vincent Van Gogh 2012.

Throughout history, art has been an inspiration for fashion designers and fashion has influenced the practice of artist's. Iconic artwork is often used by designers as a means of gaining cultural capital for their brand, increasing its value by associating the clothing with ‘high’ art, or a certain artist. An example of this cross over between disciplines can be seen in the American clothing brand, Rodarte, which has appropriated paintings of 19th Century Dutch post-impressionistic painter Vincent Van Gogh in their Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

By using a particular artist’s work in order to promote a brand, the clothing appeals to a select audience who has an appreciation and knowledge of the artwork. However, in contemporary times, art relies on fashion as much as fashion relies on art, as writer for Art Monthly magazine Adam Geczy stated, “...since the beginning of the 20th century it has been fashion that has played a central part in popularising art.”[1] Rodartes use of the Vincent Van Gogh paintings such as Sunflowers (1888) and Starry Night (1889) has brought the 19^th Century’s artists work into the 21^st Century. By doing so, the artworks can be appreciated by a new generation. Additionally, the brand gains cultural capital by proving their knowledge of fine art and showcasing the taste of the designer. The merge of fashion and art not only implies a certain level of cultural and social status, additionally, it increases the economic value of both the garment and the artwork through its popularization.

The fusion of the two disciplines has begun to eliminate the distinction between what is considered art and what is considered fashion. Putting designers and artists to work together poses the question of whether fashion is art (Cartner-Morley 2012). Clothing can not only be found in retail stores, however is also found in galleries and museums in both a historical context, and in the context of art. For example, garments by the Rodarte are in the permanent collections of the Boston Museum of Fine Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. By using the gallery as a platform for showcasing the designer clothing, Rodarte distances itself from other every day, ready to wear brands.

As designers continue to reference and reinterpret artwork in their garments, so too will artists be inspired by fashion trends. As both designers and artists continue to collaborate for cultural, social and financial gain, the gap between fashion and art continues to diminish.

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[1]Geczy, Aand Karaminas, V 2011, Fashion and art: Critical crossovers, Art Monthly Australia, No. 242, pg 5-10, viewed 5^th August 2012
<http://search.informit.com.au.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/documentSummary;dn=556301285308705;res=IELLCC>

Image sourced from:
Hincapie, A 2012, collage of Rodarte designs and the artworks of Vincent Van Gogh, Ideefixe Magazine, Wordpress, viewed 12th August 2012,
<http://www.ideefixemagazine.com/high-art-high-fashion-2/.>

References:
Murphy, R 2002, 'Womans Wear Daily' Medling Fashion and Art , viewed 11th August 2012,
< http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/231136504?accountid=14543 >

Cartner-Morley, J 2012, ‘Britain Creates: when fashion and art collide’ Guardian News and Media Limited, viewed 9th August 2012,
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/2012/jun/26/creative-thinking-fashion-art-collide>