FASHION INTO ART
Converting fashion into paintings, Viktor and Rolf’s collection was all about the dutch golden age. Totally focused on the haute couture creation process dropping their ready to wear collection. Justifying the era, Viktor and Rolf cleverly creates an ambience of an art gallery by putting all the famous paintings on the garments. As the show proceeds they start undo the skirts from the models and hangs them on the wall. One by one paintings were completed and reconfigured the sections of glided frames and materials onto the models. The pieces of frame went over their shoulders or up their legs which formed exaggerated silhouettes with denim shirts and dresses with rolled up sleeves. Art comes to life when the dress transforms into an artwork. Instead of heading backstage, the models stopped in front of the designers, who deconstructed their garments and hung them on the empty wall behind them.The show began with models entering with plain white canvas tied and matched with golden belts and bands over the shoulders. Using the frames as support, material was thrust out horizontally from the shoulders and the hips of different dresses. The shapes of the garments also became more extravagant as the show progressed. Intricate motifs parade the ramp transforming Golden Age paintings with the rawness and spontaneity of action painting. Each artwork was executed in a complex layering of laser cut jacquards and embroideries. The outfit became more heavily patterned decorated with printed paintings, as the show advances. The show begins with a model entering wrapped with the whitest canvas ever made from white fabric shaped with wooden batons around hems and collars. The later skirts bring in greater ardour as the colors become darker. The gradual increase in the prints on the skirts evidently get transformed from plain white canvas to little paint stains and then to inky paintings. Viktor and Rolf claim that they were longing to try something new and direct themselves into something challenging and halt their ready to wear business. They have made all the efforts in the creation process suggesting this collection as wearable art. However the skirt presented on ramp was abstract and was an amalgamation of hinged frames on coats, dresses, and capes. Horsting and Snoeren seem continuously intrigued by exploring the golden age ism and incongruity to produce this monochromatic art. The designers drilled the audience clear white framed canvas and flawlessly polished oxford shoes. The models are transformed into walking exhibits with each piece of living artwork showcasing the duos insight. Models made their way down the runway with Renaissance portraits and speckled paint splattered across the canvases which looked spectacular and seemingly charismatic. The cleverly deciphered concept was lightly and thoughtfully drafted and presented out in a very performance artsy way. Broken and angled picture frames with canvases were plain with simple framing, yet their blankness was not boring but rather interesting. This wearable art collection looks nice and trendy. Each artwork was executed in a complex layering of laser-cut jacquards.
*The catwalk images and screenshots were purely used for reference.
