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.

via

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.