ALEXANDER MOTTO...

• "Fashion and art are approaching postures and there are a lot of points in common between the two that result inevitable, inasmuch as are visual stimulants". Alexander McQueen.

• Alexander McQueen (1969-2010).

BRUSH STROKES, EVERYWHERE...

• Prova Prima collection

The Utilitarian is a type of art that has regard to usefulness, rather than ornamentation or beauty and Prova Prima, is a perfect example of it. This new Richard Ginori collection, (before Doccia porcelain) was designed by, famous Italian utilitarian artist, Paola Navone (1950), which gained in 1983 the prestigious Osaka International Design Award, and who was awarded Designer of the Year by the German magazine Architek & Wohnen in 2000. 

• Fabulous 'brush strokes' of color adorn this contemporary porcelain collection  perfect to setting and to create a young and personal table design.

• This plate seems and artist palette, full of colored brush strokes, while is painting a picture.

Installation art describes an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space. Famous artists as: , Allen Jones, Claes Oldenburg, Jason Pollock, and Jeff  Koons, beside others created using Chanel codes, originals artworks to frame the Chanel catwalk for its spring show 2014.

• Designer Karl Lagerfeld next to the Allen Jones sculpture at the Grand Palais.

The Chanel collection was composed by 89 outfits divided on two modules, the first to appear on stage was the "traditional" one, and the second was the "brush strokes", where the first one is characterized by tailor outfits, rectangle silhouettes, rich tweeds and lace fabrics, adorned with conventional codes as edges in contrasting colors, and the second one, is more free on silhouettes, more juvenile, dynamic, full of vibrant colors and fabrics sprayed with of airbrush effects and brush strokes textures.

The Coco Chanel codes are always present in their collections: tweed fabrics, the edges braided in contrasting colors, the double “C" logo, the camellia, chain, pearls and the quilting, but Karl Lagerfeld continues to give a new approach to the symbols of the Chanel house, changing silhouettes, textures and proportions.

• The Coco Chanel codes are present in this outfit, on the tweed fabric, in the modern choker with two big pearls and in quilting handbag.

• The tailors are less severe, more morbids, with asymmetric necklines, more relaxed and sexy; the edge braided, like in this case, made in the same tweed fabric, is a code in mostly of Chanel tailors.

• The collection have a balance between rich and minimalist textures as traditional tweed, shiny leathers, airbrush and brush strokes effects.

• The edge in contrasting color, is a code that is never missing in Chanel collection, but on this occasion looks more dynamic because of the jacket,  'yoke' (Canesú) style, which reveals almost fully complements the dress.

• One of my favorites is this 'imitation' tailor dress, cut-out shoulders, where this concept is taken to the most minimal expression, it is very 20s, and it’s fabulous.

• The 'little black dress' is an icon of Chanel, and whatever be the theme of the collection is always present in them.

• First module.  Photographer: Christophe Ena/AP.    

                                                  

• The makeup artists, in this case, used the brush strokes technique, just like when an artist painting an abstract picture, to create Chanel 'brush strokes rainbow' makeup. I love this choker that climaxed with two huge faux pearls that rested just at the inside of each clavicle.

• This male model, carrying a canvas and paint brushes and with artistic look, was the signal that the brushstrokes section had started on Chanel catwalk.

• The dresses texture Seems an artist palette full of colored brush strokes while is painting a picture.

• Brush strokes everywhere, on the outfit, on the handbag, accessories and makeup.

• The chiffon fabric looks great on this floating cape style dress. I love it.

• Second module

• Chanel Spring-Summer 2014 Ready-to-Wear Collection.

THE ROMANCE OF THE SEASON...

• Models: Julia Nobis and Daria Werbowy
• Photographer: Juergen Teller

And romance between Fashion and Art continues for this season, as in Celine spring 2014 collection, inspired in the Oeuvre of American Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline (1910-1962) from where designer Phoebe Philo, creative director from 2008, took the particular brush strokes to give texture to the collection, as well as from the work of the British Abstract painter and print maker Sir Howard Hodgkin (1932).

I love this collection because it is cool, easy, fun, impacting, wearable and very affordable, where the focal points are the patterned textures of giant brushstrokes, on: the tailored large T-shirts, skirts, and coats and the asymmetrical concept used in the silhouettes giving a dynamic movement to the collection.

• "Figure Eight", by Franz Kline.

• This two pieces outfit seems painted by abstract artist Franz Kline, on the Tank Top, and by Howard Hodgkin on the skirt.

• Abstract picture by Howard Hodgkin.

• I love this bicolor tunic in navy and yellow brush stroke jacquard, because it is a mix between abstract and ethnic,  and the striped skirt, remain me the Colombian "ponchos" in texture and shape. Not in vane was selected for the Bergdorf Goodman catalog cover spring collections 2014.

• Structure and Imagery Franz Kline.

• I found a Japanese influence in the silhouettes in this collection, the large T- shirts, inspired in kimono costume, shaped over striped sunray pleats skirts.

• Abstract picture by Howard Hodgkin.

• The color palette of this collection, composed of 40 outfits, is composed of primary and secondary colors in giant strokes textures, passing to neutrals, (Black and white), in color- blocking and monochromatic outfits at the end.

• Details how, the cutout metal rimmed shaped, used like hand grip in the handbags,  jumped to the belts and  to the outfits, revealing the contrasting tunics layered underneath, that in mostly cases ending on beautiful 'cheesecloth' skirts.

• The Asymmetrical concept it is present too in the original brushstroke style makeup.

• Watch the video and notes the abstract brightly colored, blocky seats, before of the fashion show, that I guess was an introduction for guests, about what they were ready to see on this collection:

THE 'GRAFFITI' COLLECTION...

• "I want to inspire women to struggle"..., said Miuccia.

Fashion has always found inspiration in unpredictable sources like Art, life, History, music, movie, in other words there are no boundaries; but, the relationship between fashion and art is constantly evolving and I love that, and  you can see it again in the fashion trends for this season, as in  the last Spring/Summer 2014 Prada collection, named, by  Miuccia, "In the Heart of the Multitude", where the venue's background was decorated with Street Art, painted directly in the showroom, by muralists Miles "El Mac" Gregor, Mesa, Gabriel Specter, and Stinkfish, and Illustrators Jeanne Detallante and Pierre Mornet. 

These Street Art artists selected by Miuccia have many points in common, mostly are muralist and illustrators that have been commissioned to paint murals around the world and editorially in the most important magazines and have exhibited internationally in many art galleries and their works and commitment are recognized worldwide.

But most important point that I noted was the fact that their themes mostly are focused on the human body, focusing on the expression of the face, and I think that was the reason why, Prada grouped them for her fashion project.

Look below, the creative Street Art, from those creative artists and what they did to the Prada catwalk.

• Mesa. Born 1989 Spain, based in Barcelona. Mural in Valencia, Spain.

• Mesa's mural at  the Prada catwalk.

• Miles "El Mac" Gregor. Born 1980 United States, based in Los Angeles. "La señora de la muerte" new mural in LA for FX's The Bridge.

• El Mac's mural at the Prada catwalk.

• Gabriel Specter. Born 1978 Canada, based in Brooklyn. 

• Fresh Artwork by Diana Garcia and Gabriel Specter at Woodward Gallery Project Space, (in front of the Ghost space) on Eldridge Street on New York's Lower East Side.

• Gabriel Specter at  the Prada catwalk.

• Stinkfish. Born 1981 Mexico, based in Bogotá. Mural in Valencia, Spain.

• Stinkfish's mural in Bogotá, Colombia.

• Stinkfish's mural at Prada catwalk.

Artists created powerful artwork on the walls, spraying the place with their murals, inspired by political wall art from Mexican muralist.
Miuccia took the graphic cue from them to give visual texture to her designs. So, the Street Art, jumped from the street to the showroom, to the outfits, and Prada accessories.

• Jeanne Detallante. Born 1978 France, based in Philadelphia. Illustration  for Nowness (Lana del Rey) Café la rotonde in Paris and Elsvier Stijl magazine.

• Jeanne Detallante's at Prada catwalk.

• Pierre Mornet. Born 1972 France, based Paris.

• Pierre Mornet's illustration at Prada catwalk.

"I want to inspire women to struggle"... said Miuccia after the show like making a feminism statement, that invoke the Riot Grrrl movement that originally started in the early to mid-1990s, in Washington D.C., and the British Mod youth subculture of the early to mid -1960s, and as like as those subversive women, the models, one by one were appearing on stage, but instead of banners and wore dresses and accessories graffiti.

• The 'Graffiti' collection conformed of 41 looks estarted with this Stinkfish dress. 

• This sleeveless shift dress in hunter green in multicolor virgin wool with face and bra detailed patchwork is one of my favorites.

• The Mods from the 60s, defined the silhouettes from this collection evoking the insurgence spirit of that era.

• The sparkling lines, from Stinkfish, are the inspirations for this embroidery.

• The 'Graffiti' coat.

• The collection ended with this Specter dress.

• Specter, Detallante and Stinkfish on Prada handbags

• Prada Spring/Summers 2014 catwalk.