Cubism and Fashion

I'm going to a weeding this weekend and am SO excited to wear a new dress that I bought recently. I had been fawning over it for a while and thankfully had the patience to wait because it eventually went on sale!

Dress: CLASSIQUE

I haven't seen a dress like this before, (save maybe an ice-skater's costume but then it is usually be-dazzled to the extreme) and I found myself more and more drawn to the dress as I kept going online and looking at it.

Suddenly I realized why I loved it so much: not just because of the vibrant colors and fun shape, but the pattern is similar to some of my favorite and most well-known Cubist paintings!

Whether the designer was inspired by these artists or not, looking at these paintings I see many similarities with the bold, dark lines, geometric patterns and shapes. Even the top of the dress with the angular hem and tiered waist form bold, solid lines.

Although the dress isn't (or doesn't seem to be) a full pattern that has been deconstructed like a Cubist painting, similar design principles apply and I love the visual effect. I like to think I will be wearing a little piece of art this weekend, even if I'm the only one who makes the connection!

Man with a Guitar

Georges Braque, French

1911-1912

Oil on canvas

Samovar

Kazimir Malevich

1913

Oil on canvas

Ma Jolie

Pablo Picasso

1911-12

Oil on canvas

Road near L'Estaque

Georges Braque

1908

Oil on canvas

Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life

Filoli is a magnificent estate located on the Peninsula in Woodside. The estate, still remaining on all of its 654 acres, was built by Mr. and Mrs. William Bowers Bourn II who lived there from 1919 to 1936. The Bourn family owned the Empire Gold Mine, the Spring Valley Water Company and the Crystal Springs Reservoir and like many families during the early 20^th century, prospered during America’s “Gilded Age”.

San Francisco architect Willis Polk designed this amazing estate using elements from different architectural eras and styles. The house, styled mainly in a modified-Georgian tradition has French and Spanish influenced architecture, with outstanding works of art from throughout the world. In the ballroom, Ernest Peixottoe, a San Francisco artist, was hired by the Bourn family to paint wall sized murals of their family estate, Muckross House and Abbey, with the surrounding Irish countryside, gifted to their daughter Maude on her wedding day.

 

The formal gardens at Filoli were designed by San Francisco artist and designer Bruce Porter and built between 1917 and 1921. The sixteen-acre garden is a true complement to the refinement of the estate and to the natural California countryside surrounding the home. The expansive gardens are divided into two parallel north-south walks, yet within each, walkways wrapping through gardens, doors and terraces give each division of the garden a feeling of total immersion and intimacy.

In 1937, Filoli was sold to Mr. and Mrs. William P. Roth, owners of the Matson Navigation Company. Mrs. Roth, a horticultural enthusiast, brought worldwide recognition to the Filoli gardens and to Isabella Worn, whom assisted with plant selection and design. Worn’s detail in selection and plating design brought remarkable color and life to the gardens.

 

Mrs. Roth donated the estate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1975 in order to ensure the estate would be available for all to enjoy years later. Filoli is open Tuesday through Sunday, mid-February to late October and is a true pleasure for architectural, design and garden enthusiasts alike. 

all original photographs. 

Balenciaga at the de Young Museum

Visiting the Balenciaga and Spain exhibition at the De Young Museum is like taking a cultural trip through time. Visitors are shown the dynamic play between a rather reserved Spanish culture and the innovative and dramatic designs of Cristóbal Balenciaga. The haute couture clothing, works of art by their own rights, showcase the genius of Balenciaga, and how he used the social and cultural currents in Spanish life to inspire and influence his designs. 

Balenciaga found inspiration in the fantastical matador costumes, dramatic flamenco dancer dresses, common fishermen garb, religious figures and works of art that surrounded him as a young man in Spain. The 120 piece exhibition has been gathered from private collectors and the De Young museum's own collection. 

Curated by Hamish Bowles, the European Editor at Large for Vogue, the exhibition is on display from March 26, 2011 - July 4, 2011. Personally, I have seen numerous fashion exhibitions at the De Young and think the Balenciaga is the best show by far. Not only are Balenciaga's designs exceptional, but the magnificent display and historical context that accompany the pieces provide a panoramic view of this fascinating period in history. 

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Old and New - When Art Meets Fashion

I consider style an art- working different pieces together in a way to harmonize an overall look can be difficult. Using art as stylistic inspiration can run the gauntlet - from Yves St. Laurent's innovative "Mondiran" dress to a kitschy Edvard Munch "The Scream" tee-shirt (although I love the painting, I am glad I have never actually seen someone wearing this shirt...)

Being my first blog post, I wanted to give an example of how art and fashion can combine to create a true, unique style. And while some people look at a Mondrian or Munch and say "That is art?" there is no denying the skill and beauty of Dr. John Robert Thornton's engravings from the 18th century.

Tulips

Dr. John Robert Thornton (c.1765-1832)
Hand-colored engraving from the Temple of Flora

London: 1799-1807

Dr. Thornton brought together the finest flower painters throughout Europe to create his unsurpassed masterpiece, The Temple of Flora or Garden of Nature. These dramatic, highly stylized engravings were the first to include a full, lush backgrounds laden with symbols and allegories.

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Designer Stella McCartney must have seen the historical importance as well as aesthetic qualities of these engravings as she decided to incorporate them into her Spring 2011 line. With her astute sense of cut and shape, she not only has designed dynamic dresses and tops, but has bridged the gap of time, bringing an English physicians fantastical engravings to contemporary fashion and runway.