ESSAY SYNOPSIS_

Which essay title have you chosen to answer?

15. Is design (fashion or graphic) an art, if so why has it been increasingly viewed as such in the postmodern art world? Use examples to discuss this statement.

Why have you chosen this title? 
I chose to respond to this essay question as I carry a real passion toward the relationship between Fashion and Art. Through answering this title, I will be able to explore why fashion is viewed as an art form in this postmodern art world, and increasingly so. The fine area between said 'design' and 'art' is a debate that will always be continued, and I wish to come to my own conclusion about fashion as an art form, and explore peoples views.

Why does it interest you?
As a fashion and textiles student, the fine line between Fashion and Art interests me thoroughly. The Art and Fashion world are very similarly connected, and I feel its important for me to research and understand this as it can affect all matter of aspects, such as target audience, materials and designs used, or even where the garment will be displayed. Is an art form only allowed to be displayed in a gallery? A garment only to be shown on a catwalk? I hope through writing this essay I will gain further knowledge of the similarities and differences between Fashion and Art.

How will you answer this question?

In no more than 300 words, write a brief summary of your essay:  

Fashion and Art- there are many similarities between them both. But is Fashion an Art form? In this post modern art world, the boundaries have become blurred and fashion is becoming increasingly viewed as a form of art. Fashion requires a creative mind, and skilled craftsmanship meaning the bond between the visual arts and fashion is undeniable.

Fashion is for the consumer. 'Art is art. Fashion is fashion.' - Karl Lagerfeld. It is clear there are rather distinct differences between fashion and art. The rise of social capitalism and mass production have made the latest trends available on a large scale, for everyone. Style and brand names serve to  convey a social status, having to consider commerciality and function. Fashion is ever evolving to keep up with the high demand of the latest trend, whereas art exceeds time and modernism. Its aesthetics and self expression are timeless in fact, something that perhaps fashion could never achieve. I believe that few other art forms have the power to inspire everyday life the way fashion does. However to some, fashion is seen as an industrial machine, allowing people to spend extortionate amounts of money on throwaway, non-essential items. But could the same be said for art?

Fashion enables art. Elsa Schiaparelli regarded her designs not as 'a profession. But an art'. Although many designers reject this merging, such as Prada, Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs. In the avant garde fashion, their designs and intentions are becoming blurred. Designers such as Comme des garçons have rebelled against typical fashion and have rejected the human form, cutting their garments in unusual ways, suggesting other possibilities for the garments use. Maybe this is the designers intention, as we perhaps have to consider it art. After all, it no longer carries wearable, commercial value. 
Fashion has began to appear in fine art museums, for example: the metropolitan museum of art in 2011 held Alexander McQueens 'Savage Beauty', which was one of the most popular and widely attended exhibitions in the museums history. But is fashion just following art? I believe art is beginning to adopt characteristics of fashion,and as art economist Claire Mc Andrew noted, 'no matter how highly valued art is in society, there is no escaping the fact that it is produced, bought, and sold by individuals and institutions working within an economic framework inescapable from material and market constraints.'      
Although we do not always look at fashion the same way we do art (whether it be in a frame or in a museum), Fashion accomplishes many of the same things as art: self expression, reflection of culture, and creative design. Fashion is how many express their individuality, how the designer gets theirselves across to people. Fashion shows have become performances exploring art forms and conceptual ideas. However it doesn't have to be typically beautiful to everyone, as art forms always hold criticism. 

To conclude my brief summary, it is clear there are rather distinct connections between the art and fashion world. But I do not believe all fashion is art. Fashion has become too broad for the statement to be true, especially when both haute couture and mass produced items are involved. Fashion and art-  still a very debatable subject.

Which artists and authors will help you answer the question?

Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, McQueen, Paul Poiret, Rei Kawakubo, Comme Des Garçons, Issey Miyake, Elsa Schiaparelli, Vivianne Westwood, Cindy Sherman, Valentino, Annie Leibovitz, Art Nouveau Period, Valerie Steele, Gilles Lipovetsky, Claire McAndrew, Damien Hirst, Takisha Murakami, Viktor and Rolf, Hussien Chalayan, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Zandra Rhodes, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Give an example of how you will correctly reference them? 

Text: Art economist Claire McAndrew noted  “no matter how highly valued art is in society, there is no escaping the fact that it is produced, bought, and sold by individuals and institutions working within an economic framework inescapable from material and market constraints.” (The Art Economy, 2009)

Bibliography: McAndrew, C (2009). The Art Economy: An Investors Guide to the Art Market. Revised Edition. Liffey Press.

What do you need to say to answer the question successfully?

To answer this question successfully, I need to elaborate and explain both sides of the debate, using information and quotes from different designers and artists sharing their views on fashion and art to support my essay. I will also include my strong personal response to whether Fashion is an art, and include this to help me come to a final conclusion.