I love fashion. I myself am not fashionable, but I am fascinated by the art, creativity and skill that go into creating a work of fashion.
That's what really amazes me about Isabelle de Borchgrave.
She creates fashion, and she creates it with paper.
Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave
February 5, 2011 - June 5, 2011
Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave is a painter by training, but textile and costume are her muses. Working in collaboration with leading costume historians and young fashion designers, de Borchgrave crafts a world of splendor from the simplest rag paper. Painting and manipulating the paper, she forms trompe l’oeil masterpieces of elaborate dresses inspired by rich depictions in early European painting or by iconic costumes in museum collections around the world. The Legion of Honor is the first American museum to dedicate an entire exhibition to the work of Isabelle de Borchgrave, although her creations have been widely displayed in Europe.
Pulp Fashion draws on several themes and presents quintessential examples in the history of costume—from Renaissance finery of the Medici family and gowns worn by Elizabeth I and Marie-Antoinette to the creations of the grand couturiers Frederick Worth, Paul Poiret, Christian Dior, and Coco Chanel. Special attention is given to the creations and studio of Mariano Fortuny, the eccentric early-20th-century artist who is both a major source of inspiration to de Borchgrave and a kindred spirit.
You can watch a wonderful documentary here: http://legionofhonor.famsf.org/pulp-fashion-documentary
On the home front: I'm halfway through the wedding invitations. I'm happy with my progress.
May the day's blessings bring you hope and joy.
I'm going to see this exhibit on Wednesday with a friend. I'm really looking forward to it, but I know I'm going to want to touch as well as just look.
ReplyDeleteOOOH, lucky you! You MUST come back and tell us all about it!
ReplyDeleteI was right. I did want to touch as well as look. de Borchgrave was able to get the look of very fine lace from paint and what looked to be a very sheer mulberry silk paper. There was a Medici gown that, from 5 feet away, appeared to be a rich brown velvet, but was actually painted paper. The entire exhibition was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI plan to post more about it on my blog: katydidde.blogspot.com later in the week.
I went to see the Balenciaga exhibition at the de Yonge on the same day so my eyes were pretty full by the end of it.
I am so pleased to know you enjoyed both exhibits. San Francisco is just a little too far for my gas budget, so I'll just have to sit up in the Sierras and enjoy them vicariously through you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update! :-)