Tying in art with fashion retail is its most cynical, a ploy to lure people into stores to sneak a peek at what is a real art exhibition but of course getting some bonus sales through visitors is the sideline aim. However, that would be a joyless way of looking at things and if Paul Smith wants us to take a wee trip to his Mayfair store on Albelmarle Street to see the first London exhibition dedicated to Gian Paolo Barbieri, the longtime Vogue photographer, I’m not going to poo poo it.
Ok, ok, cynical jest aside, Paul Smith really does choose exceedingly good (not sure why I just likened the tone there to Mr Kipling’s cakes…) people to collaborate with on his many in-store exhibitions and I genuinely believe Mr Smith likes to showcase his art tastes and share them with everyone, whether they are prospective customers or not. This time round, the Barbieri images below from the total of fourteen that are on display at the Paul Smith store, are quite alluring and are prompting me to make time for a Mayfair walk-about. The shot of Angelica Huston (above left) taken in 1973 is particularly stunning and is making me want to seek out more images of the young Huston.
why do u criticize a marketing concept and then do a 180 and kiss up to a designer who does one?
if paul smith “likes to showcase his art tastes and share them with everyone” wouldn’t it be separate from his business to make the distinction between personal desire and business promotion more defined?
does susie want to avoid being on the bad side of paul smith?
Seeing as I’ve never met Mr Smith, I sit on the fence as to whether or not I think it is a big commercial scheme…tying up his store with his art choices…. I haven’t heard him talk about it and I’m not about to judge something I don’t know that much about… I like the concept but question the intentions…. it’s not about sucking up but merely not having enough information to make a final call…
Plus… I really like the images that he has chosen to exhibit…
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Is it just me or does Angelica Huston look totally like Audrey Hepburn there?
Mind you I do have poor eyesight…
It can also be seen as fashion’s way of trying to cater to the art crowd.
It can also be fashion trying to parallel its importance is as significant as art. Perhaps trying to bridge the differences between the two fields. Fashion and art has always been a tricky enterprise but what designers seem to be working on these days is not merely the role of a couturier but that of a cultural avant-garde.
I’m noticing people seeming to give Susie a hard time recently, so what if companies are starting to notice this blog, so what if they’re sending her stuff, so what if she’s saying she’s liking it, so what if she doesn’t..
Infact I’m sure all the PR companies are now including her in their mails for events launches etc..
BUT it’s Susies blog… what she puts on it is her business, whether it’s comercial or esoteric it’s her business…
You’re getting all this content.news etc every day FOR FREE…
Please stop complaining and acting like it’s all a big conspiracy..
If you dont like it go buy Vogue…
I wonder have you ever sent a copy of that back saying you think its kissing up to designers…
I know this is a rant but for christ sake people stop acting like you own this girl or what she writes.
I personally hope she does get a fantastic new site or column or whatever and starts to languish is the glory of freebies….she’s been working her ass off..she deserves it
I’m not so sure about the… scarves? Very dark.
I think that fashion and art are already inextricably linked together. Most who work or are interested in fashion are also inspired by art and other cultural media. If a designer wants to share something that inspires him, or fits with his brand’s aesthetic, all the power to him. Those that don’t buy it won’t buy it. No harm done.
I’m not that mad about the photos but I did wonder yesterday why TopShop doesn’t use its walls for photography exhibitions. It would make sense to me. (The Oxford Circus branch I mean, not just any old one!)
The pictures on the white background are really strong, the people really stand out.
There’s a local label in Sydney, Australia called Romance was Born who have recently collaborated with local artist Del Kathryn Barton for their latest Fall collection. Their clothes are quirky and her paintings clearly use fashion illustration as a jumping off point for her wildly colourful and detailed pieces. Its a match made in heaven and it certainly is a more affordable way of having a piece of Barton’s art to call your own. Fashion and Art have to be inextricable linked, otherwise what separates fashion from clothing as a necessity?
I’m all for the art exhibition; it adds value to the “shopping” experience. I may feel this way because I love art, but that’s alright. In the end, everybody wins: someone who doesn’t care about art can still shop, and someone who doesn’t care about shopping can still look. Why not?
I love the bottom left picture. The girl has such a beautiful and strong face.
The bottom left chick is Ingrid Boulting, if you wanted to know, Sean.
I love it when people share their inspiration with others, we all have a tendency to want to keep them to ourselves, but it is lovely to inspire others 🙂
Those pictures are gorgeous, I could look at them for hours 🙂
im telling it how i see it regardless of if susie gets freebies or what not, that isn’t the point. you forget there’s no intonation in writing unless you use emoticons and i don’t use them so if the reaction is directed at me giancinephile, you can take my post anyway you see it.
the direction of the post went one way then went another, i just wanted clarification on the reason behind it and susie did that (cheers big ears)
art has always been a fashionable enterprise no matter what scope it’s viewed in.
re: to david not giancinephile, my bad
I like how people are expanding their thoughts on fashion and art. Though the link has always been there do people get the feeling that their’s an element of exploitation going on when the link is very blatantly exposed/publicised?
Not to say that it’s a bad thing just that the link between fashion and art is almost ENFORCED as opposed to being left organically as it is…
JJ: I don’t mind you questioning my POV…. hope you understand where I’m coming from. The cynic and starry-eyed in me both collided into one post…
Oh, and I think you meant to address David.
David: Thanks for sticking up for me and you know these days, I’m stepping back from the crticism and trying to blink it out as it’s waaay healthier…. I sometimes do just want to stutter back ‘But…um… I’m not doing anything wrong…just bloggin’ away and mindin’ my own business…’ but seeing as it does not work like that, I’ll just have to deal with it.
Thanks very much though!
Rollergirl: Is that Helmut Newton thing happening in Topshop yet….? I believe that’s the first arty thing it’s done…