What do you make of this?Mining the self-consciously 'modern', Nicolas Ghesquière has sent out a real eye-opener. Mr Ghesquière has carved himself a niche (and created a cult whilst doing it) that marries futuristic cut-glass tailoring welded to old-school haute couture techniques and the rich fabric innovations that is the heritage of this label. In this collection, he again pursued a dynamic, streamlined wardrobe of the future, embellished with colour, texture and punch.
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While it makes one sit up enthralled, one has to question the wearability of something seemingly inspired by the recycling bin: Jackets looked like discarded foam packing and, neon graphic prints looked like supermarket packaging, and the knits looked like bubble wrap. Even the shoes looked like something assembled from the rubbish heap, a plastic piece here, a vinyl patch there. The vision dazzles, but its relevance is intellectual, not pratical.
Do you want to wear a piece of art, something that challenges and something that is intellectually stimulating, but isn't necessarily attractive, sensible or cosy?What is fashion to you?
welcome back dg!
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Perhaps another way to look at the question is: who do you dress for - for yourself or for others? I find sensible, intellectually stimulating things attractive on others and I like to put out that impression in how I dress. I suppose that's why this Balenciaga collection isn't so unwearable to my dress sense. Not that I would wear every single piece because a lot of it isn't sensible but I'd say about 40% of it I would wear. I do agree that it is a very cerebral collection.
ReplyDeleteYou do make a very good point about Fashion; is it by nature subjective? And, as you've said, how does it separate from Taste? Or does it?
It is to me what it is to you. Something that can be entirely different. I agree with you on the wearability issue but to me an artistic vision doesn't need to agree with what the general consensus is. It might sound pretentious and all but without innovators like Nicolas we would still be stuck in sacks. They show us the possibility of the future, whilst not exactly applicable right now, it is not entirely Inappropriate. Personally this is one of the purest collections of the season, not how it looks but how it remains untainted, the concept explored and executed to the nth.
ReplyDeleteB: I've been ever so busy! Which is good.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: It is entirely about taste. Or is it? Only the very priveleged will have the wherewithall to even consider dressing like this which implies a certain level of leisure and perhaps the confidence that comes from great wealth not to have to consider the opinions of others. Even when taken apart, the items would be challenging enough to give one pause; I'd have to 'figure it out'... and maybe throw out all the rest of my clothes to accomodate dressing like this! Can I afford to do this? No! Nor am i so inclined. This is all i'm saying.
Anon: Thanks for your interesting comment. I am questioning the relevance of using a fashion label to explore 'artistic vision'. Is this clothing or art? When I think I'm looking at clothing, do I want to be confronted with Art? Is it the correct platform? Haivng asserted this point, I want to say that I DO like this collection because it makes me think, and question. And I respect and admire the offerings of these fashion innovators (Prada, Jil, Chanel, Owens) to show us the value of these seasonal offerings. Otherwise we might as well be flipping a Zara catelogue.
As you mentioned, this 'purity' is precious indeed, and should be preserved... Yet I've seen him done better!
"...perhaps the confidence that comes from great wealth not to have to consider the opinions of others." Are you Serious??
ReplyDeleteAndrew: LOL... Sorry, but yes.
ReplyDeleteOuch
ReplyDelete*big grin*
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