Art in Fashion I: J.W. Anderson LFW

'Art in Fashion' is the next big trend! Inspired by English painter Graham Sutherland, J.W. Anderson's latest "pretty ugly" collection at London Fashion Week (LFW) 2014 offered an artful distortion of construction over unconventional palette. British designer, J.W.Anderson has once again created a collection to challenge the audience's take on art within fashion.

Photo: Isidore Montag

"In plebeian terms, if "pretty ugly" were a thing, Anderson nailed it. Citing English modern painter Graham Sutherland as a reference point, Anderson appropriated the queasy colour palette of alien green, murky mustards, watery browns, moss and greys from Sutherland's paintings onto his collection. Anderson went further by employing "ugly" fabrics like corduroy, black satin and a two-toned seaweed woven mix as a personal challenge this time. Admittedly, some of these fabrics are among his most abhorred."

It is the very juxtaposition of the colours and material of fabrics with the design construction that's made Anderson's autumn/winter 2014 collection such an intriguing work of art. Ironically, it is the artful distortion that's captivated aesthetic perfection for fashion followers.

"In an interview backstage, Anderson wanted the show "to feel a bit disturbed," citing "the idea of a shrivelled arm" and of "this contorted figure" in Sutherland's many figure drawings such as in Standing Forms II. This conceit of contorting the body translated into the bending and melding of style lines and the transferring of the weight of garments to parts of the body where they feel a little unnatural. It is an extreme way of challenging codes of dressing that goes beyond just deconstruction."

Standing Forms II (1952) oil on canvas by Graham Sutherland

"The part of the garment that endured the full extent of this contorting process was the neckline, where Anderson experimented with many different forms, from roll necks to structured high collars, asymmetrical, draped, deep cowl, off shoulder, ruching, oversized to name a few. The waistline of the dresses also shifted rebelliously with each look; drop waist, Japanese "obi" sash, and at times completely absent. The absurdity of these styles were enhanced by rather grotesque shoes and the eerie theremin-rich soundtrack by Michel Gaubert."

"In its entirety, the J.W. Anderson collection displayed gusto that likens it closer to art. The way he used the runway as a canvas to challenge the way we think about clothes and ideas about taste - either wittingly or otherwise - is a testament to the sheer rigour of his creative wit. Anderson shows are bold statements that are quickly turning into landmark events at London Fashion Week."

- Powered by Nowfashion.com

Reporting on one of the hottest shows off the runway over the past weekend, this post will be the first of a series of two with the theme of 'Art in Fashion' being the next big trend for the season.

Joan x