THE SYNERGY OF FASHION AND ART

Since before the Renaissance, art has greatly influenced fashion. From shape, color, texture, period, style and silhouette, fashion designers have looked to art for inspiration. While reviewing the Spring 2010 collection of the talented Japanese fashion designer Tsumori Chisato, I was reminded of the work of French-Ukrainian artist, Sonia Delaunay. I had just been looking at a book of Delaunay's work and could not help but see a visual connection with Chisato's springtime looks.

Sonia Delaunay was a pioneer in the Modernist movement in Paris in the early twentieth century. Her paintings, fashion design, and work in the decorative arts were created with a vibrant dynamic of color and geometric patterns. Delaunay's fashion designs were worn by stars like Gloria Swanson, and her theater costumes were commissioned by Diaghilev, for the Ballet Russes.

Tsumori Chisato is a graduate of Tokyo's renowned Bunka Fashion College and a protégé of Issey Miyake. She is known for her flirty prints and appliqués. It was fun to imagine Chisato's inspiration for this collection. It might have been the farthest thing from the Paris avant-garde movement, but it was exciting for me to see a connection and to explore more about the synergy of fashion and art.



Here are four diptychs showing a piece from the Tsumori Chisato collection on the left juxtaposed with a work by Sonia Delaunay on the right. Do you see the synergy?

Footnote: This is a wonderful book about the art and fashion of Sonia Delaunay