Susan Kirschbaum has written features - covering trends, fashion, and art -- for various publications including Harper's Bazaar, London Times, New York Observer, and New York Times since the late Nineties. She has worked as a web editor for both fashion and art concerns and as a founding editor to Fashion Wire Daily, when it served as a wire service to the Associated Press. She has written both synopsis and forwards to photography books by Steidl Dangin. Currently, she is a contributing editor to Whitewall - a seasonal art magazine - that sets new visual and story telling standards to cover the art world. She also writes for Purple, the French fashion magazine.
Her first novel, WHO TOWN, a dark social satire is now being reviewed by several publishers through rock star agent Robert Guinsler at Sterling Lord Literistic.
(All photos on this blog are taken by Susan Kirschbaum on her Canon SD850 digital point and shoot, unless otherwise noted - please credit all photos accordingly)
Fashion Designers Keep the Celebrity and Art Bubbles Afloat... for now
Kate Moss Becomes a Fairy in Prada, added value by Artist James Jean
People keep waiting for the bubbles to burst: The celebrity bubble, because overexposure leads to boredom. And the art bubble, since in a predictable recession, how do you justify buying a multi million dollar Jeff Koons balloon dog when industries are cracking?
When it comes to fashion, savvy designers have found a way to converge celebrity and high art, so when too many actresses in prom dresses cheapen a line, there's an art motif to resurrect the cache. For fun, let's check out the high /low lists. John Galliano, for Christian Dior, worn by Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron, has referenced Gustav Klimt. Marc Jacobs, chooses muse Victoria Beckham -- once called "Skeletor" by the British press due to her anorexic mystique -- for his own collection but rebounds with Richard Prince nurses down the LVMH runway and collaborates with him on bags, as well as with Japanese artist Murakami. Miuccia Prada, favored by Jennifer Aniston, brings in animation artist James Jean to design frocks for the current Spring line, with his intricate fairy motifs and bags to boot, sure to become collectors items. Already, a younger celebrity, Hilary Duff has infused the Prada bag with fresh blood, having been photographed with one. Perhaps for Spring '09, Prada will consider hiring Lisa Yuskavage, with her revolutionary imperfect or zaftig women. (If so, sign me up for one of those! Talk about ground breaking image.) Laz and Jack of Proenza Schouler considered -- among other influences like kimonos and feathers -- the abstract almost spiderweb work of Louis Bourgeois. Sure, the Olsen twins wear their clothes. Such mass appeal is nullified by the Bourgeois influence: the top of a black and white frock seems to pay direct homage to Bourgeois (see photo/Spring'08.)
Zac Posen tends to avoid direct correlation to artists, perhaps because it has surrounded him his entire life. HIs father Stephen Posen, is a noted contemporary artist and his brother in law Nils Folke Anderson, constructs impressive abstract sculpture.
However, I may be speaking too soon. You never know, come fall, if Posen will deliver dresses that resemble flying rhombuses. To further that, I'd like to see Madonna or Demi Moore, two of his past customers, pull that one off.
Nils Folke Andersen, Robert Miller Gallery,534 W.26th Street,till July 30th
Lisa Yuskavage's female:much curvier than James Jean for Prada
CLICK BOXES BELOW FOR MORE EXAMPLES... ART IN FASHION ADDS TO HIGHER IMAGE
I think that is amazing and how it should be. Fashion to me is art and all kids now a days know designers through some famous celeb or socialite (Lindsay Lohan)
Check out two Brits who are cool hunting all over the globe.... Mr. and Mrs. Smith... just like Brad and Angie when they had to sneak into hotels under fake names... Ooh, la, la...http://blog.mrand mrssmith.com
"It's never been more important for me to respect a president's ability to handle foreign policy and to be a good listener and an open negotiator. Those are qualities I didn't think about in the past, but now, it seems crucial to the success and even the survival of our nation. Also, I cannot endorse a president who does not support women's rights to the fullest possible extent." Faran http//:www.nylonm ag.com
Who is "Candy" with Anna Wintour in the CFDA photos? I guess it's true that the ugly kids in school get their revenge as grown ups in fashion. They are both "bark, bark!" You are kidding about them as fashion icons, right?
Candy Pratts Price is the Executive Style Director of Style.com. She just won the Eugenia Sheppard (CFDA) Award for fashion journalism. While Candy's not a writer, she's got an eagle eye as a market editor so deemed a trend maker. Fashion loves her because she makes or breaks "looks," as in collection pieces. OUCH! on the revenge comment...
Thanks Lollie! Do keep reading and spreading the word on the page. Re: the hats, Philip Treacy's creations are like luscious cherries on gorgeous cakes. Each one, one of a kind.
Glenn O'Brien, new co-Editorial Director of Interview is exceptionally talented. I have a lot of faith in his vision and looking forward to checking out the new issue in September.
Do I care about Madonna, how could you not! While I'm no slave to her rhythm she is a remarkable woman breaking all former generations rules for what a woman of 50 should act and look like. That being said, how much longer does she have to be our pop princess? Is it still cool to be wearing bodysuits with tights when you're 60??http://media.uber .com/images/60x45 .jpg
Merci Lucille! Je comprende. Tu t'en fou de la vie ici' mais quand meme, tu lis le page. Souvent je m'en fou de la vie ici' aussi. Beaucoup de la betisse! xo!
keep up the good work <" To be a star you must shine your own light, follow your own path and not be afraid of the darkness, for that is when stars shine brightest."> peace 2008
susan, did you ever get my message or are my messages broken too? cause If I wrote hundreds of personal messages to people for nothing I'm going to cry
