Friday 21 March 2014

Incorporating Art into your wardrobe

I have always believed 'Fashion is Art', particularly when you think of the likes of Alexander McQueen, Vivian Westwood, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier and many more. There has been a different fashion movement going on the last couple years where the reverse has been true and Art has inspired Fashion. The designs of Frida Khalo, Picasso, Miro and eras such as Modernist, Baroque, Renaissance to name a few has been popping up on the runways.
Although I don't follow trends as I keep saying, I am finding this movement interesting and refreshing. There are intelligent and cultural complexities in the design of art in fashion.
  
I decided to write this post on 'Cubism' used in fashion and the use of block colours. This artistic movement was formed by Picasso and Braque and was inspired by 3D shape design and predominately primary colours. For me It is more about the influences of that art era using objects that are torn and reshaped in an abstract manner, symbolising that era rather than actual graphic prints of their art on fabric. Below is my interpretation of 'cubism fashion' and how it can be incorporated easily into your wardrobe, especially the work arena, hence adding to my post 'working it'  where I discussed jazzing up your work wardrobe. 
Many of the designs are flattering due to positioning of the shapes and colours.
I could have kept going and placed many more examples but there are too many wonderful Cubist inspired frocks out there to mention. But by all means, ask me for more tips if you like!!

Dresses, skirts, Pants
Colour blocked pants are a great alternative to plain pants...flattering due to the vertical panels generally placed on the sides. 
The abstract patterns with contrasting colours are very flattering especially if the detail  is around the stomach as it is distracting to the eye. Gorgeous coats in primary colours teamed with bright coloured pants are a bold corporate look.
These are great dresses for the corporate world. Notice again how the shapes are positioned around the tummy area. In my view these dresses have the slimming effect. Jackets can easily be added. Accessorise as I always say to do, this makes the look more interesting.... and even better add a graphic bag. 
A-Line and shift dresses can be pretty and feminine. Add bold colours with accessories and shoes. Go a little wild with handbags.  No matchy-matchy. 
The graphic dress: The asymmetrical design of the dress along with all the varied patterns on  make this style of dress a statement.  Tee it up with boots or nice heels and some pretty earrings.  
Cubist inspired skirts worn with sharp lined jackets. These three diverse styles can be worn with open toe shoes in the summer or boots/closed in shoes for winter. As you can see shapes and colours are mixed carefully making them interesting. 

Black and White
It is not all about bold colour with Cubist style. Sharp, hard edges in black and white...always very smart: sexy tuxedo jackets, wrap coats and dresses. There again is the 'slimming' dress with the black panels running horizontally down the sides giving you the illusion of a trim waist line. Chic looks for both the work and social areas. 

Night Time Glamour
Beautiful maxi dresses with sharp colour contrast are a wonderful change for the night time affair
Long Shift dresses with bold patterns are a real statement. Be daring and go for colour, and wear the dresses with equally colourful shoes and pretty handbags. 
Elegant and simple cut dresses with sharp lines are a proven formula. A dress like this is flattering with both horizontal and vertical lines blending. Wear it as a gorgeous cocktail dress with a sharp edged handbag or soften the look with multi-beaded one. There is no right or wrong with this.

I don't know about you, but I love this movement and know that if offers so much creative scope in your wardrobe. 


 If you'd like further help in incorporating this look in your wardrobe or for any styling consultations contact me via my email stylebygessica@gmail.com
























4 comments:

  1. I love the Cubism style jewellery out at the moment. It certainly makes a statement and an outfit pop. :-)

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    1. Yes I agree, there some great jewellery out there...even the cubism style shoes are fab.

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  2. Very interesting post with beautiful combinations - I have always been nervous of geometry simply because I haven't know how to combine it without creating "overwhelm". Some people can land up looking really messy in this stuff.

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    1. Thankyou Dionne. I understand it can be tricky to incorporate geometry into the wardrobe...I recommend to start with one or two pieces like a dress or jacket. Once you're comfortable with that, you'll be surprised at how well you can add more pieces to it ....and yes there is the art of balancing the pieces so it doesn't look messy. That is why I enjoyed putting examples together in this post. Kind Regards Gessica

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