Graffiti Arty, when art and fashion meet
At Maison Fauve , every fabric tells a story, and the 2024 Christmas capsule is no exception. Among the treasures of this collection, the Graffiti viscose crepe stands out for its audacity. 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 last 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 had 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.
The Italian Elsa Schiaparelli collaborated with the surrealists in the 1930s, and created a fashion inspired by the artists of the Parisian avant-garde of the 1920s and 1930s. Salvador Dali, Jean Cocteau, Man Ray, so many artists who inspired but also fed off Schiaparelli's creative energy. Icons were born from her exchanges between the designer and her artist friends, such as the scandalous and suggestive Homard printed dress worn by Wallis Simson after a work by Dali, or the incredible Shocking pink 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 assumed 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 colors. The simplicity of the cut of these cocktail dresses, the geometry of the lines that embellished them and the frankness of the colors brought a breath of modernity to his collection. These dresses definitively changed the links between fashion and art, transforming a painting into an animated work. Saint Laurent appropriated Mondrian's work by transforming a two-dimensional painting into a garment that carried the power of the work.
Piet Mondrian, Composition with Yellow, Red, Black, Blue and Grey, 1920 © Collection Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Original sketch of a cocktail dress. Homage to Piet Mondrian. Haute couture collection fall-winter 1965 © Yves Saint Laurent
This fusion between 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 telling example, as it multiplies partnerships with major artists of the contemporary scene. In 2003, the artist Takashi Murakami was invited to reinterpret in bright colors the famous monogrammed logo of the house. Murakami will cast his mischievous eye and his characteristic humor on their products, shaking up 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 artistic movement that is essentially ephemeral and rebellious, has gradually infiltrated the collective imagination, spilling over from 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 appropriates 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 on the clothes and accessories patterns in colors similar to the neon graffiti and the punk and pop culture influences of Stephen Sprouse.
The desire to infuse this subversive aura and carry a message beyond the garment is directly found in some fashion shows. A pioneer in the field, Alexander McQueen will be at the initiator of a performance that has remained in the annals of fashion. At the end of the ready-to-wear SS 1998 show, the 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 turn slowly. The robotic arms came to life, before spraying her dress with black and acid yellow paint. Several interpretations have been made about this extraordinary finale. The designer will explain that his inspiration came from the 1994 retrospective dedicated to the installation artist Rebecca Horn, in particular her 1991 work entitled High Moon. Horn's creations mainly 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 made 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. Each detail of this print seems to tell a story, recalling both lively street frescoes and abstract works of art.
This fabric was designed for lovers of clothes with character, while offering perfect lightness and drape to enhance silhouettes.
Viscose Crepe: A precious material
The 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 to wear: it hugs the 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 on 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 a clean line. The pattern is strong, it is beautiful to let it express itself on cuts that will not "split" the designs. Here are some ideas to inspire you and create unique pieces:
1. The Peninsula Dress (and the blouse hack)
With its play on cutouts and its modern yet timeless look, the Peninsula dress is perfect for exploiting the dynamism of the Graffiti pattern. Transform it into a blouse for a more casual but still refined style. 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 a place of choice 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 allow you to obtain a result that is both modern and easy to wear. See the pattern
Why choose Graffiti Viscose Crepe?
- An artistic print : The Graffiti pattern is both very original, but also easy to combine with your other clothes, due 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 Care
To get the most out of your Graffiti viscose crepe , here are some sewing tips:
- Use a Microtex needle specially designed for delicate textiles or silk
- Opt for delicate finishes, such as a rolled hem, to highlight the fluidity of the fabric.
- Wash at 30° delicate, preferably inside out with a mild detergent. Delicate spin mode (600 to 800 rpm).
- Have your coupon before sewing your garment.
- No 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 spectacular dresses or light blouses.
Will you be seduced by the little madness of the Christmas capsule?
