Inspiration. For fashion designers, it can come from any place at any time, but more often than not, they cite a specific artist or work of art as informing the creative process. Cue the Art x Fashion online auction, a partnership between the CFDA and Paddle8 that goes live today at http://paddle8.com/auction/artxfashion and runs through Nov.19. It features 20 works of art selected by CFDA Members that inspired their designs and overall creativity.
The participating designers are Francisco Costa, Ralph Lauren, Diane von Furstenberg, Stacey Bendet Eisner, Lisa Perry, Tory Burch, Prabal Gurung, Thom Browne, Pamella Devos, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Jennifer Meyer, Irene Neuwirth, Michael Kors, Reed Krakoff, Brooke Garber Neidich, Tabitha Simmons, Patrick Robinson and Laurie Lynn Stark. Unless otherwise noted, the designers donated the work their personal collections, and 100 percent of the proceeds of each piece sold will help support the CFDA Foundation, Inc.
The art that is up for auction ranges from Louise Bourgeois and Kehinde Wiley to Paul McCarthy. Bendet Eisner, for example, selected Francesco Clemente’s Lovers from 2015, citing Clemente’s use of color “a constant source of inspiration to me. His work is delicate and detailed, sexual and sweet. True visual poetry.” Krakoff, meanwhile, chose Peter Lindbergh’s Linda Evangelista, New York, 1992, saying that it “epitomizes the intersection of urban industrialism and sensual romanticism, a theme that has inspired my design work for many years.” Michael Kors contributed Ron Galella’s iconic photograph, Windblown Jackie, New York from his personal collection, while Ralph Lauren chose Kurt Markus’s Spanish Ranch, Tuscarora, Nevada, 2015. And these are just some examples.
“The worlds of art and fashion have always been intertwined, and with this auction we have the great privilege of witnessing how various artists have influenced some of the greatest creative minds of our time,” said Paddle8 cofounder Alexander Gilkes. “Art x Fashion marks an exceptional opportunity for collectors to acquire works of art that have had a genuine impact on the vision of these groundbreaking designers.”
CFDA President and CEO Steven Kolb added: “Paddle8 has been a great partner to the CFDA, and we are looking forward to continuing the collaboration with Art x Fashion. Fashion and art are inextricably linked, and many of our CFDA Members look to the art world for inspiration. “We couldn’t think of a better platform to highlight this and, while doing so, also help the CFDA and our charitable efforts.” Start bidding now!
