Attempting to discover something that related well enough to my chosen image from the book ‘ERIC GILL: SCULPTURE’ Collins.J (1992), Lund Humphries, London; in association with Barbican Art Gallery. I felt quite challenged, there was a battle of communication and relevance between any possible garment/textile pieces, including the debate of whether information was reliable.
I managed to find an excellent example, which I thought related extremely well both through the influence of layers and colour, the work which was said to be created by Danielle Franklin was created by Chanel- Enania Velcani. Unfortunately, the website that I researched was later found to be incorrect, and didn’t give me a collection which I could reference and research further. Consequently, I had to look at another designer, who I ensured had enough valid information and work that related to my original choice of artwork, ‘Christ Driving out the Money Changers from the Temple’ (1922-3) sculptor Eric Gill.
My range of resources weren’t as varied as I had hoped. However, I did use a book of sculpture, various websites including watching several videos to enhance my knowledge of the designer Cristobal Balenciaga, who is a strong focus in the collections of Molly Goddard, Gareth Pugh and Josep Font, three of the designers being interviewed within the short videos that I watched.
These can be found at: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/contemporary-fashion-designers-on-balenciaga
Balenciaga was known for his manipulation of the silhouette, something which each designer within the short films recognises as his strongest value and all try to replicate this with turning away from the hour-glass figure and involving much more volume to create the simplistic beauty that he did. His simple designs were thought to have been his best work, because of the minimalism. Whereas other designers obsessed over the hour-glass figure and the perfect woman. Balenciaga removed this, meaning you didn’t have to be perfect to wear his clothes.
I discovered more information about Balenciaga from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, https://www.metmuseum.org/TOAH/HD/bale/hd_bale.htm; where I learnt about his past including the ways that he came to be known in the fashion industry through designing for royalty.
Having to adapt my work because of incorrect information, I made the connection between Gill’s sculptural drawings and a silk coat created by Balenciaga for Mrs Byron C. Foy (1955) the rich red colour of the coat can also be found on tapestries and curtains in places of worship and prayer. Most notably this being inside the temple where Jesus drove our the money changers. The colour could also link in with the Christian imagery of the blood of Jesus Christ; this is internationally recognised as a big part of the communion, where bread is eaten to remind the followers of his body and wine as his blood.
I’m sewing heaven (n.a)
‘FASHION DETAILS’
https://artmagamma.wordpress.com/fashion-details/
(14th October 2017)
Collins. J (1992)
‘ERIC GILLS: SCULPTURE’
in association with Barbican Art Gallery
Published: Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd, London
(18th October 2017)
The Macropolitical Museum of Art (n.a)
‘Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History -Evening coat’
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/C.I.55.76.26/
(18th October 2017)
