Fashion As A Form Of Art - Research Paper Example

Fashion As A Form Of Art: The Synthesis Of Beauty And Ugliness Though from their definition they seemworlds apart, the relationship between fashion and art is undeniable. This is especially the case at a time when the relationship between fashion and art has grown so close that they are almost synonymous with each other. Fashion is constantly gaining platforms where art is dominant, such as in Museums. In recent days, the fashion world experienced a huge accomplishment when Alexander McQueens Savage beauty was displayed at the metropolitan Museum of arts. This placed the designer among elite traditional artists that included Claude Monet, the painter. Consequently evening gowns gained prominence as much as old fashion art objects (Lyssens par. 1). As Lyssens (par. 2) states, fashion is as relevant as art in the sense it mirrors the habits and tastes of days ago, teaching us history of others and our own. A well execute art of fashion has the ability to redefine how we see things. It takes a creative mind to have an outstanding couture, skill and ability to use media. In the same manner a painter would work out his dreams on a canvas so does a designer work out their vision on clothes. The designer becomes the artist as the cloth becomes the canvas. The skills involved in both are the same, an idea is made visible by first drawing it, and then it is worked on. If a designer has an idea he first draws it down same as the painter or sculptor. Just like other forms of art, fashion takes into account certain principles such as colour, texture, line and shapes (David par. 4 & 5). And fashion is known to follow trends that are artistic as the bond between the two just as witnessed during Art Nouveau cannot be denied. Fashion on the other hand has offer art platforms; witness in the New York fashion week in 2010, the directors incorporated other forms of art such as music, opera and fashion films into the event. Artists like Picasso would design costumes for their ballet dances in 1920 during the Ballet Russes. Fashion media houses have also employed fine artistes to work out their designs as photographers have enabled fashion transform into a street art by turning to the streets to boost their style savvy (Jechow par. 1-8). These are just a few examples of how the worlds of fashion and art have developed an interdependency that would befit them compared to being akin. Though some still would deny that fashion is not art, it is quite evident that these two worlds are woven together and with the interdependency developed, as one grows the other grows along. The debate about beauty and ugliness has been around since time in memorial, and as these two keep colliding, what used to be an absolute is constantly becoming relative. Fashion industry has not been left out in this whole issue, things have really changed. Before going into the relativity, the absolutes must be understood: Beauty by definition is the wholesomeness of qualities inform of shape, form, colour that is pleasant to the sight, while ugly being the opposite is repulsive or unpleasant as pertaining to the sight (Dictionary.com). The fashion industry has seen transformation in the years; the modelling industry was reserved for the beautiful and handsome, slim, and young. But hey! Watch out, because the ugly ducklings are slowly becoming the beautiful swans. The recent past has seen rise to some of the most bizarre fashions and fashion houses. A London Based modeling house is broke the rules and drifted from recruiting standard models to allowing “ugly” people on board. Founded by two Photographers in 1969 after what seemed like them seeing enough of the normal standard models. They went ahead to put up an ad on the daily London Newspaper that said “have you got an interesting face? Contact ugly” (Ferreira par. 2). They allowed fat women, women with beards, geeky men and even old ladies and handed them the chance to showcase what they had. Though some look normal, they have been categorized into four main groups that include, girls, men, specials and rage. Interestingly enough, Ugly has become a big business over the past forty years, as they say beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder (Ferreira par 3). The ugly shoes as many would identify with it, is characterized by flatness, chunkiness and heftiness which would not be considered good for the runway. Ironically this is changing as runways are witnessing more of these as opposed to the traditional stilettos and dainty kitten heels. A trend that is big not just on the runways but on the street even sweeping celebrities such as; Alexa Chung, Rebecca Hall and Lauren Laverne. With four thick leather straps and rubber soles these shoes that offer comfort are easily created from rubber and Velcro, some of those that fall under this category include pool siders, Marc Jacobs, and floral Birkenstock. These shoes are hard to love at first, but interestingly enough, they are selling out big time. A trend that might have started when the daily Mail newspaper asked “are these the world’s ugliest shoes?” about Celine’s blue version (Marriott par.1). These shoes have been predicted to be around for a few more seasons as many are experimenting on flats. The fashion industry has seen the term ugly take up as part of business names. Apart from Ugly models, other companies have followed the trend. I love Ugly is an online clothe shop dealing in men’s wear that was heavily inspired by the Japanese design world. In as much as there is nothing that seems ugly about the company, this name seems to be trendy and selling (Iloveugly.net par. 2; Superette par 3). The ability to incorporate ugly into fashion has seen rise to a new way of publicity in the name of fashion police. This is an internet marketing tool for clothes that many would not consider wearing. They go around spotting clothing that seem interesting and post them on there website (thefashionpolice.net par. 3). It is true that the word ugly has gained a different twist in the past few years; the fashion industry like any other has experience if not benefited from it hugely. What would start as a media house questioning a celebrities dress or shoes, ends up being fashion. Businesses have taken up the word ugly and used it in their names and have ended up making it big. People considered to be “ugly” in the society are now gaining audience through fashion houses that recruit them instead of the traditional beauties. A time has come that the meanings of these absolute words have been reduced to trends and way of life, and soon it will be the uglier the better. Work Cited Dictionary.com. Ugly. 2014. Web. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ugly Elyssa J. Is fashion art? 2012. Web. http://musedialogue.org/articles-by-genre/visual-arts/costume-design/is-fashion-art/ Hannah M. Ugly shoes stomp past competition to become seasons must-have footwear: Rubber, flat and chunky shoes dominated the catwalks and are now becoming big news on the high street. The Guardian. 2014. Web. http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2014/mar/16/ugly-shoes-stomp-competition-must-have-footwear I love Ugly, http://www.iloveugly.net/ Johanna F. Mamas Latinas, Beauty: This modeling agency for ugly people has to be seen to be believed. 2013. Web. http://quemas.mamaslatinas.com/beauty/120423/this_modeling_agency_for_ugly Siska L. Not Just A label, The Art of Fashion: modern fashion, like modern art is a catalyst for dialogue and an exchange of ideas. 2013. Web. http://www.notjustalabel.com/editorial/the_art_of_fashion_0 Smith A. Fashion is art with form. 2014. Web. http://www.wacotrib.com/entertainment/accesswaco/david_a_smith/david-a-smith-fashion-is-art-with-form-and-function/article_90d8845e-c93e-550a-9fbe-f306a3020445.html Superette. Five minutes with I Love Ugly’s Zac Suvalko. 2013. Web. http://blog.superette.co.nz/2013/02/five-minutes-with-i-love-uglys-zac-suvalko.html Thefashionpolice.net. Fashion Police Case Files. 2014. Web. http://www.thefashionpolice.net/ Read More