December 20, 2024

Graffiti Arty, when art and fashion meet

At Maison Fauve , every fabric tells a story, and the 2024 Christmas capsule collection is no exception. Among the treasures of this collection, the Graffiti viscose crepe stands out for its boldness. Inspired by urban energy, this printed fabric illustrates how art and fashion intertwine.

Street art is THE movement that has shaken up the contemporary scene over the past 10 years, but each era has seen the birth of close collaborations between creators and pioneering or avant-garde artists.

Dresses like Paintings

Designers have always maintained more or less deep relationships with the art world. Gabrielle Chanel rubbed shoulders with avant-garde artists, designing costumes for the theater, but some designers go even further in their affinities with the works, and clothing becomes a reflection of the artists' work.

Italian Elsa Schiaparelli collaborated with the Surrealists in the 1930s, creating a fashion inspired by the Parisian avant-garde artists of the 1920s and 1930s. Salvador Dali, Jean Cocteau, Man Ray, all artists who inspired but also fed off Schiaparelli's creative energy. Icons were born from the exchanges between the designer and her artist friends, such as the scandalous and suggestive Lobster print dress worn by Wallis Simson after a work by Dali, or the incredible pink Shocking cape embroidered with a sun king. Accessories are not left out: a telephone "dial" powder compact also from a collaboration with Salvador Dali, "Snuf" perfume whose bottle is an unashamed nod to René Magritte's pipe.

Wallis Simpson in Vogue, 1937 Photo: Cecil Beaton / Getty Images

In 1965, Yves Saint Laurent paid homage to the painter Mondrian by creating dresses that evoked the artist's abstract paintings and work with color. The simple cut of these cocktail dresses, the geometric lines that embellish them, and the boldness of the colors brought a breath of modernity to his collection. These dresses definitively changed the relationship between fashion and art, transforming a painting into a work of art. Saint Laurent appropriated Mondrian's work by transforming a two-dimensional painting into a garment that embodied the work's power.

Piet Mondrian, Composition with Yellow, Red, Black, Blue and Gray, 1920 © Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam Collection

Original sketch of a cocktail dress. Tribute to Piet Mondrian. Fall-Winter 1965 haute couture collection © Yves Saint Laurent

This fusion of art and fashion shows no signs of slowing down, and collaborations with artists give rise to capsules that are as sought-after as they are surprising.

Louis Vuitton is a prime example, with its growing number of partnerships with major contemporary artists. In 2003, artist Takashi Murakami was invited to reinterpret the house's famous monogrammed logo in vibrant colors. Murakami brought his playful eye and characteristic humor to their products, challenging the codes of luxury.

The latest collaboration, with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, gives rise to gigantic installations and a profusion of polka dots, injecting the artist's gentle madness and striking creative universe into Vuitton products and stores.

When Street Art and Fashion Seduce Each Other...

Street art, an essentially ephemeral and rebellious artistic movement, has gradually infiltrated the collective imagination, spilling out of the walls of metropolises to infuse the world of fashion. Graffiti, stencils and collages, once considered acts of vandalism, and an illegal and subversive expression of underground culture , are today an inexhaustible source of inspiration for fashion designers. This symbiosis between urban art and clothing trends raises the question of the reciprocal influence between these two creative spheres. While street art challenges and conveys strong messages, fashion is appropriating this verve to incorporate it into its collections.

In 2009, Marc Jacobs, then artistic director of the house, paid a strong tribute to the artist Stephen Sprouse by multiplying patterns in colors similar to neon graffiti and Stephen Sprouse's punk and pop culture influences on clothing and accessories.

The desire to infuse this subversive aura and carry a message beyond the clothing is directly found in certain fashion shows. A pioneer in this field, Alexander McQueen would be behind a performance that has gone down in the annals of fashion. Closing the SS 1998 ready-to-wear show, model Shalom Harlow appeared wearing a simple, white strapless dress with spectacular volume. Standing on a rotating circular platform placed between two robotic arms, she began to slowly spin. The robotic arms came to life, before spraying her dress with black and acid yellow paint. Several interpretations have been offered about this unusual finale. The designer explained that his inspiration came from the 1994 retrospective dedicated to installation artist Rebecca Horn, in particular her 1991 work entitled High Moon. Horn's creations primarily explore the theme of the extension, remodeling, and transformation of the human body.

A print with urban inspiration: Graffiti reinvented

The Graffiti pattern proposed by Maison Fauve plays on subtlety and contrasts. Created by the Barcelona street artist Javier Bullido, the print was first created with spray paint and brushes, before being digitalized. The material effects are striking. Imagined in a palette of 2 colors , this viscose crepe combines a vibrant graphic line with a fluid and delicate texture. Every detail of this print seems to tell a story, reminiscent of both lively street frescoes and abstract works of art.

This fabric was designed for lovers of clothes with character, while offering lightness and a perfect drape to enhance silhouettes.

Viscose Crepe: A precious material

Graffiti viscose crepe seduces with its light texture and slightly grained feel, typical of high-quality crepes. Its exceptional fluidity makes it the ideal companion for Maison Fauve patterns. This fabric is both pleasant to work with and wear: it hugs your movements while offering an impeccable drape. Discover the fabric

The fabric pattern has meaning, but the abstraction of the print allows you to choose whether to position it up or down. We offer a selection of sewing threads and buttons that will play off the rich color palette of each colorway.

Technical characteristics :

Composition : 100% viscose.
Width : 140 cm.
Weight : 140 gr/m2. Ideal for airy or structured creations, while remaining comfortable.
Origin : France

Recommended Patterns: Enhance Graffiti

To highlight this unique print, I recommend clothing patterns with clean lines. The pattern is strong, it's beautiful to let it express itself in cuts that won't "split" the designs. Here are some ideas to inspire you and create unique pieces:

1. The Peninsula Dress (and the blouse hack)

With its playful cutouts and its modern yet timeless look, the Peninsula dress is perfect for harnessing the dynamism of the Graffiti pattern. Transform it into a blouse for a more casual yet still refined look. See the pattern

2. The Storm Blouse

The fullness of this blouse highlights the fluidity of the viscose crepe. Its boho-chic style contrasts beautifully with the graphic lines of the pattern, creating a sophisticated and relaxed look. See the pattern

3. The Mia Dress

With its delicate pleats and fitted cut, the Mia dress is an ideal choice for those looking to combine elegance and comfort. The Graffiti viscose crepe will find pride of place here, highlighting the richness of its print. See the pattern

4. The SoHo Dress

A pattern that enhances prints with its clean lines and minimalist style. The SoHo dress will give you a result that's both modern and easy to wear. See the pattern

Why choose Graffiti Viscose Crepe?

An artistic print : The Graffiti pattern is both very original and easy to combine with your other clothes, thanks to its range of colors.
A pleasant material : Viscose offers an unrivaled feeling of softness and comfort.
A pattern that will follow your desires : This fabric is suitable for both everyday clothing and party outfits, fitting perfectly into the spirit of the Christmas capsule.

Sewing Tips and Maintenance

To get the most out of your Graffiti viscose crepe , here are some sewing tips:

Use a Microtex needle specially designed for delicate fabrics or silk
Opt for delicate finishes, such as a rolled hem, to highlight the fluidity of the fabric.
Wash at 30°C on a delicate cycle, preferably inside out with a mild detergent. Spin cycle for delicate laundry (600 to 800 rpm).
Have your coupon before sewing your garment.
No tumble dryer.
Medium ironing (2 points or 150 degrees maximum)

Conclusion: An inspiring Christmas capsule

With the Graffiti viscose crepe , I wanted to breathe something unique and singular into the Maison Fauve universe. Your future sewing in this print promises to become a centerpiece of your creations, whether it's spectacular dresses or light blouses.

Will you be seduced by the little madness of the Christmas capsule?