Sunday, June 19, 2011

Renaissance fashion


This week was the 8th edition of Pitti W, part of Pitti Immagine, the international fashion and lifestyle fair held twice a year in Florence. Pitti W is dedicated to special innovative projects in women's fashion, and this season's special guest was Rodarte. The Mulleavy sisters were invited to create an exclusive site-specific installation, showcasing their fascination for Florence, the Renaissance, and Fra Angelico's frescoes.

The collection consists of ten gowns, each with a long skirt falling to the ground, a silhouette familiar from the classical arts. Matter of factly, the sisters' dresses were inspired by their study of art history, and religious art in specific.

The installation was setup in a seemingly deteriorated and abandoned storefront in Florence, containing a series of chambers where the gowns are displayed with neon constellations. Illustrating the almost religious experience of the collection, four gowns were equipped with gold metal belts and golden sunburst crowns, inspired by Bernini's Ecstacy of St. Teresa.


What a shame that the dresses won't adorn the body of a breathing woman, but instead are all destined for the LA County Museum of Art's permanent collection. Then again, maybe in a few centuries, people will be standing in front of Rodarte's gowns in a similar state of awe as they do in front of Florence's Renaissance masterpieces.

Love,

FSHNvanguard


Photos: Autumn de Wilde/ Courstesy of Rodarte

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