art

Not another effing gift guide (oh yes it is!)



Connolly socks

Have I ever posted a timely gift guide? Never, I always leave them way too late! But I do have a few house-y, DIY and arty recommendations that have come my way, so consider this a nesting guide of sorts instead. Things to buy as gifts, or self-gifts, or just to inspire you for the New Year. (To shop the post, scroll to the end. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.) (more…)



Dior X Kenny Scharf AW21 is the post-pop post-pandemic tonic we all need



Dior X Kenny Scharf AW21

Wow, what a trip!

When I heard Dior menswear was collaborating with Kenny Scharf for AW21 I tried to keep my expectations in check. You never know quite which way these things will go, but I’m happy to report the collection looks superb.

Scharf is a painter who achieved fame in the 80s alongside his NYC club kid cohorts Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. I didn’t get my first close-up look of his eye-popping work till the late 80s. (more…)



The culture of fashion: the creative legacy of Willi Smith



WilliWear designer Willi Smith courtesy Bonnie Brownfield

I finally managed to get stuck into the Willi Smith community archive – part of the recent Cooper Hewitt Willi Smith: Street Couture exhibition – with its immersive oral history from friends and customers. It’s so brilliantly done, giving you a real sense of the designer, the man and his influence on his creative community. (more…)



Culture of fashion: Helmut Lang x Saint Laurent collab



Helmut Lang X Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent Rive Droite

“I always had the utmost respect for the work of Yves, and Anthony has created an unparalleled vision for YSL, furthering the house’s legacy in a truly contemporary way…Anthony was the first person in fashion to engage in a collaboration focusing on my artwork. As I collaborated with artists in different ways throughout my time in fashion, it was intriguing to be in the reversed position.”

An interesting turn of events at Saint Laurent. When I saw the headline saying Anthony Vaccarello has collaborated with Helmut Lang (pay wall), I assumed a fashion line. (more…)