FASHIONABLE KNITWEAR

By Eva Fydrych

Inspired by Art

Photos courtesy of Simons, Indie Fashion and Zimbio

Do you sometimes wonder how much Art influences our choices and how widely present it is in our everyday life? 

Since the early twentieth century, fashion designers have often looked to fine art for inspiration. Several art movements such as surrealism, trompe l'oeil, and op art have been especially popular among contemporary fashion designers.

"As the whole business of research for design has evolved, mainly through fashion education, it is interesting to note that designers no longer necessarily dwell on one, recognizable theme. They might pick an obscure art movement and mix it with other, disparate elements to create a narrative; or be inspired, perhaps, by just one painting, and even then not necessarily one well known to the public." - says Robert Leach in The Fashion Resource Book.

Yves Saint Laurent 1965 dress inspired by Piet Mondrian (Courtesy of Indie Fashion)

Diane von Furstenberg dress inspired by Picasso (Courtesy of Trend Supplier)

Prada 2008 dress inspired by Willy Pogany (Courtesy of Indie Fashion)

Sharon Graubard of Stylesight writes: "Nobody uses colour like a fine artist. If you want to see new combinations for colour-blocking or stripes, look at Kenneth Noland and Josef Albers. If you want to use sparkle and shine, look at Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor. Look at artists for T-shirt graphics, for finishing techniques, for typography, for surface texture".

Fine artists' imaginary is regularly employed by today's fashion designers, art directors and advertisers. 

Fashion Studio Magazine selected some stylish pullovers from a Canadian retailer Simons. Have a look what art inspirations we found behind their designs!

DOTS

On the left: Japanese artist Yayoi Kusuma 

Photo courtesy of Simons

B&W STRIPES

Puddle Painting: White/Black/Grey, 2010 - Ian Davenport (Art.sy)

Photo courtesy of Simons

BLUE & WHITE

Double Black Hole (Blue and White), 2009 - E.V. Day (Art Space)

Photo courtesy of Simons

GREY & ORANGE

Grey, Orange on Maroon, 1960 - Mark Rothko (Boijmans.nl)

Photo courtesy of Simons

COLOURFUL STRIPES

On the left: Rainbow Stripes by Kaitlin Patience (Isavirtue.net)

Photo courtesy of Simons

Winter Wardrobe

In their Winter 2012 collection, Simons has not only a wide selection of fashionable knitwear, but also trendy blouses, trousers, coats, and some really amazing accessories! One of our favourite items, a faux sheepskin handbag which looks great combined with winter wardrobe, is featured below:

Faux Shearling Bucket Bag from Simons.ca

Genuine Shearling Earmuffs

Faux Fur Collar

Baroque inspired Ballerina Blouse