fashion as art.

Image From: Piet Mondrian, YSL, Sarah Schofield, We Heart It and Tina Kalivas

When a friend suggested adding YSL's adaptation of Piet Mondrian's artwork to my fashion as art feature, I didn't quite realise just how many other designers Mondrian also inspired. The famous geometric compositions of red, blue and yellow primary colours can be seen to have a longstanding influence on fashion, right up until the present day.

YSL adapted the print on a range of dresses for the Fall 1965 collection. Admirably, rather than solely applying the artwork as a direct print, the design plays tribute to the painter by translating the principles of the De Stijl genre into the structure of the dresses. The appearance remains flat by the cut and placement of colours, mirroring the concept of the artwork. This adaptation indicates how the intelligence of the designer and vision of the artist are able to seamlessly work as one.

Other designers inspired by Mondrian include Australian swimwear designer, Sarah Schofield and world-renowned shoe designer, Christian Louboutin, amongst many others.

You can also see Mondrian’s heavy influence on designers who are currently working with grids and have a minimalist approach to colour block. One such designer is Tina Kalivas, whose Mondrian-inspired fashion utterly embodies the concept of ‘when art meets fashion’.

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fashion as art.

Image From: Giovanni Boldini and Dior

Looking through Christian Dior's haute couture collections, it is evident to see the direct inspiration he took from particular artworks. Here the Madeleine Dress (Autumn/Winter 2005/2006) was adapted from Giovanni Boldini's 'Portrait of Mme Charles Max'. This is a perfect example of how history, art, photography and film have influenced some of fashion's greatest designers.


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on the street: oliva palermo

It is needless to say I am in constant awe whenever I see images of Olivia Palermo. It is very rare for this style icon to ever put her foot wrong. And if there is one person in the world I have complete and utter wardrobe and styling envy of, it is her. What is even more pleasing to find out is that the person behind her style is, in fact, herself. 

Olivia is a self confessed 'high-low' shopper which means you will just as easily find her shopping in everyday stores like Topshop and Zara, as you would Fendi and Céline. I love her realistic and carefree style mantra which insists fashion "is never about how much something costs, it's about how it looks and feels". 

This selection of images is a collection of my favourite Olivia fashion moments. Girl crush anyone?

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style inspiration: shoes and socks

Image From: We Heart It and ffffound

To be quite frank, shoes and socks remind me of days gone by where girls at school would try their darnedest to rebel against the uniform code. The trend was to either pull them up so high it would transport you straight to the streets of Japan, or wear them so low as if to appear that you weren't wearing any at all. This brief affair with the trend always left me incredibly apprehensive about the idea of shoes and socks as a fashion statement. That was until quite recently, when I found myself continuously stumbling upon beautiful imagery of girls wearing socks with shoes. Lo and behold, I am now a self-confessed shoes and socks convert, and these handful of images should help to inspire you to jump onboard as well.

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fashion find: a peace treaty

Image From: A Peace Treaty

What could possibly be better than beautiful, handmade jewellery? Beautiful, handmade jewellery with a purpose. Recently I stumbled upon the story behind A Peace Treaty and felt the need to share it with my followers. Designed by two friends from differing occupational backgrounds, A Peace Treaty aims to promote ethnic craftsmanship by introducing it to mainstream fashion society. The ethically produced work has a wonderful artisan feel, giving you the sense of one-off treasures, discovered and handpicked from a traditional bazaar.

This social conscious project provides employment to skilled locals in politically stricken countries. Each season travels to a different region and is influenced by the local methods and traditions found there. The result is high quality design mixed with strong ethical purpose.

The materials, shapes and processes create charming and unique jewellery that will work well in your tribal influenced wardrobe.

Support this good cause here.

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fashion as art.

Image From: Vogue UK and Inge Jacobsen

It only seems fitting for these artworks, created by Inge Jacobsen, to make an appearance in the 'Fashion as Art' section of my blog. Hand stitched out of old British Vogue covers, the artist aims to challenge how we respond to mass produced imagery by shifting its context to create unique and exclusive art. 

The idea is simple and the result is intriguingly beautiful. 

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dressing for your body shape: petite

Image From: Getty Images

Some people have been blessed (or cursed, depending on how you look at it) with a petite frame and flat chest.

In terms of fashion, there are a lot of things petite assets allow women to pull off that their bigger breasted sisters can’t. They can dip their back hemlines low, discard the side panels of their dresses and plunge their necklines beyond appropriate. The result is feminine and sexy yet ultimately remains classy. Some flat-chested style icons that you can take fashion inspiration from include Rachel Bilson, Erin O’Connor, Frieda Pinto, Kate Hudson and Kate Bosworth.

1. Rachel Bilson. Give the illusion of curves with a tulip dress and refocus attention to other assets, such as your killer legs.

2. Erin O’Connor. Be proud of your chest and make a statement! Being able to plunge your neckline this low is the best thing about having a small chest. Keep the rest of your body covered to draw attention right to where you want it.

3. Freida Pinto. Create a bust with soft folds and accentuate your curves by adding a thin high-waist belt.

4. Kate Hudson. If you are still a little shy to try the plunging neckline, a plunging backline will also work to your advantage. There is nothing sexier than having everything else covered and your back exposed. You will need to ditch the bra to pull this off, but considering our size, this shouldn’t be a problem.

5. Kate Bosworth. Keeping your neckline high is also perfect for a smaller build. Besides adding a little mystery, it can elongate your frame and achieve an elegant look.

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Like what you read but don’t fit into the petite category? Leave a comment with a body type you would like to see featured and I will write a follow up post in the coming weeks.

style is fashion.

Image From Unknown and Sam Robinson

It is a rare and enviable thing to be able to define one’s personal style. For me, style isn’t a definite. It transforms throughout time by mood, seasons and places. I let myself be influenced by magazines, people, photography, art and design. I am not revolutionary, nor am I a trend. I am simply expressing my inner personality through outer physical means.

Some people believe clothes are just an ordinary part of the everyday. However, those who appreciate fashion understand that clothes are more than just a way to keep you covered. Fashion has the ability to tell the world a story and we, as individuals, are able to write each story being told.

Some days my story is an eclectic music video with energetic colours and a no-fuss attitude. Other days I am an unsaturated photograph of a girl wearing daisy chains, dancing without inhibition in an empty paddock in the middle of spring.

The next chapter begins with a summer road trip, lazily passing by endless green fields, listening to feel-good tunes and stopping at unknown towns found by chance. But by night the story is rewritten and I find myself living in between the slick pages of a magazine.

It is easy to say that fashion is individual, unpredictable and ever-changing. And at the end of the day, style is not simply a trend or a fad, but rather a self-confidence that everyone has the ability to wear.

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the bucket list: leather

Image From: We Heart It and Fashion Toast

My picks for the leather inspired bucket list are: shorts, jackets, shoes, skirts, bags, heels, boots and everything in between.

What is your favourite?

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