Fashion as Art: Would You Buy/Collect Pieces Just for Its Beauty?

[LoraV]

Oh, i would! If i had the money i would buy it, even if i put it on the wall and admire it! And why not? Somebody here have a good quote from Warhol : "I'd rather buy a dress and put it up on the wall, than put a painting, wouldn't you?"
I have a Dior jacket that i adore, it's gorgeous and i love to wear it!

 

[Life With Relish]

Pondering...

I joined these TFS boards specifically for this thread. I found it through a search trying to find different definitions of "wearable art". This discussion has brought up some really really juicy points! I thought I might contribute a bit...

It seems to me that everyone is actually debating whether fashion is an applied art, a fine art, or a decorative art. It's obvious we have disagreements but it seems to me they stem from how we perceive fashion's place in that dynamic. It can change over time, too, so that makes it even more complicated.

At this debate's heart, though, are really three questions: Do you collect fashion, if so why, and what do you do with your collection?

I think there are greater ramifications for the industry as a whole when one steps back to think about what's "worthy" of collecting... Do designers do their work with that in mind? Do specific lines tend to be more "collectable"? Is there a potential market in the future for more attire that is less practical/wearable?

Could vintage clothing dealers be considered gallery owners? Could clothing be considered soft sculpture, and displayed in museums (or homes) as such? Will the china hutches of the future (that contain rarely used delicate dishes) someday stand side by side with a glass closet display case?

What of all the attire that's already displayed in museums? What is the difference between appreciating the design/crafting of those pieces versus how we appreciate a painting?

Fashion has made social/political commentary just like our other great works of fine art, so what's the difference? Has it not contributed to how we perceive our world just as radically as some of our great artists responsible for impressionism or cubism or other artistic movements?

I think it's interesting to ponder. It's simply how we understand fashion's function (or lack thereof) that colors our collecting sensibilities. And I'd venture to guess that fashion may be developing new functions (or unapologetic lack of it) more and more everyday...

 

[misterhomme]

Absolutely! If one could afford it, why not? After all, fashion is art, in one of the most practical meanings of the word.

 

[WidowOfCulloden]

I would collect rare haute couture pieces. That of course, if i could afford it.
So for now, i'm collecting designer shoes.

 

[chloehandbags]

maybe it was, but today it's a business. brand are sold like any clothes, there isn't any art spirit in there : Couture is hard to sell, so msot of couture house are talking baout stopping that type of activity....they make campaign, they talk about "marketable" faces... And truely, if fashion didn't bring any financial interest, wouls it still exists ? maybe yes, but it won't be the fashion we know today. so no, today, since companies invest in fashion in order to take an advantage from it, fashion is a business and not art. Karl Lagerfeld said it by the way !

I think it's safe to say that much of what is labelled as 'art', these days, is business and not art, too, though.

Whereas, I would disagree with Uncle Karl, somewhat, on this - because I think some fashion, whilst undoubtably also business, can be art too.

 

[chloehandbags]

It's all very well saying that clothes are made to be worn, but I think it's a very good thing that there are private collectors, who will buy and store clothes without wearing them, as how else will we have a physical record of what has been produced, in the future?

If everyone just bought clothes to wear, they would all wear-out and there would soon be none left in good condition!

I know some design houses keep an example of everything they make, but many don't, unfortunately.

Personally, I tend to collect bags and jewellery (mainly the latter, actually), but I do buy a few (what I feel are) exceptional/iconic R-T-W clothes, with the vague notion that I may wear them someday; but that, if I don't, then so be it.

 

[Rosa Cr]

I personally would buy fashion as art! After all fashion is it art!
If a piece of clothing is aesthetically inspiring and innovative, why not?

 

[farou7a]

^ agreed

 

[WonderfulTonight]

im not sure if this was already mentioned in the thread..but there are people who collect nike sneakers and never wear them. Personally, i feel this is a waste. I used to constantly get yelled at by my mother for not wearing my new clothes! The art part of fashion for me, comes from how you wear it, how you put it together, etc.

 

[KaitlynAliano]

I think I would only buy and collect pieces if they were wearable. I'm not one to spend a boatload of cash on something I'll never wear...

 

[Mocha_Love]

Definitely.

I think there's nothing more beautiful than having a small gallery hidden in your house disaplaying the most beautiful shoes and frocks.

 

[scrubb]

As just a mere mortal, the only category of fashion I'd pay an arm and a leg for... are for precious bags. I'd be contented to just admire items like dresses, shoes and jewelry.

 

[superbeautiful]

I found this amazing top at a vintage store that looks just like the top Carey Mulligan wore on her Vogue October 2010 cover. It's really really heavy and I've yet to find an occasion to wear it at, but it was just so pretty and such an amazing price, I couldn't not buy it. Every time I see it in my closet it brings a smile to my face. Even if I never wear it, I don't regret buying it at all.

 

[PabloPoquet]

If you like a piece of fashion you can take a picture. But buying and not wearing it is just a waste, because some other person could actually use it. Between if people like to look at them they should have them as when they put a picture in a wall but it is usually kept on the wardrobe. I believe it is just a waste of money that could be spent in many more useful things for charity or such. If you can't wear it then don't buy it and if you do buy and like to look at it then buy a mannequin so you can display it as a true art piece.

 

[Boomer]

I'm guilty too...I have a Ralph Lauren sport coat that is probably from the mid-1970s- very wide lapels and a heavy tweed material...I have never found anywhere to wear it (and may never) but it is all zipped up in a bag in my closet...I can't bear to part with it...

 

[James Taylor]

I must admit i have loads of designer pieces that i never wear but hope they will return to trend oneday. I just cant get rid of them. Bless

 

[liketheboys]

I would never want to collect clothes I couldn't wear! To me it'd seem pointless having something lovely that I couldnt wear. I have a beautiful dress from the 20's which is falling apart at the seams, so I only wear it on special occasions. And I really love it when I do get to wear it.
When it does fall apart I'll take the pattern and make a new dress from it.

I guess if you have a huge amount of disposable income you could seriously collect clothes.

 

[aldn]

I joined these TFS boards specifically for this thread. I found it through a search trying to find different definitions of "wearable art". This discussion has brought up some really really juicy points! I thought I might contribute a bit...

It seems to me that everyone is actually debating whether fashion is an applied art, a fine art, or a decorative art. It's obvious we have disagreements but it seems to me they stem from how we perceive fashion's place in that dynamic. It can change over time, too, so that makes it even more complicated.

At this debate's heart, though, are really three questions: Do you collect fashion, if so why, and what do you do with your collection?

I think there are greater ramifications for the industry as a whole when one steps back to think about what's "worthy" of collecting... Do designers do their work with that in mind? Do specific lines tend to be more "collectable"? Is there a potential market in the future for more attire that is less practical/wearable?

Could vintage clothing dealers be considered gallery owners? Could clothing be considered soft sculpture, and displayed in museums (or homes) as such? Will the china hutches of the future (that contain rarely used delicate dishes) someday stand side by side with a glass closet display case?

What of all the attire that's already displayed in museums? What is the difference between appreciating the design/crafting of those pieces versus how we appreciate a painting?

Fashion has made social/political commentary just like our other great works of fine art, so what's the difference? Has it not contributed to how we perceive our world just as radically as some of our great artists responsible for impressionism or cubism or other artistic movements?

I think it's interesting to ponder. It's simply how we understand fashion's function (or lack thereof) that colors our collecting sensibilities. And I'd venture to guess that fashion may be developing new functions (or unapologetic lack of it) more and more everyday...

I think Ralph Lauren sometimes does this. Things that are highly collectible from include his southwest pieces from the 90's. As well as his bear series. Also done in the 90's.
And yes. Fashion definitely pushes boundaries. I would kill for a piece from the perry ellis grunge collection that got marc jacobs fired. I'm a male so pretty sure I wouldn't be able to wear it but I would love it because of what it means to me.

 

[Street_a_Licious]

yes i would. sometimes clothes, shoes and bags are so masterfully done, embroidered, embellished, it'd be such a waste to actually wear it.

if i'd have the money (and space), i would have totally bought some runway pieces just for display.

 

[thunderstorm]

Rare vintage stuff, exclusive edition bags & shoes and, of course, haute couture are without any doubts deserve to be collected.

Furthermore, every time I talk about my favourite forms of art I always mention fashion: I think most of people underappreciate it. Designers create their pieces with passion, idea, energy and fantasy; fashion is always moving forward: how could it not be defined as art?..