Wearable Art: Where Fashion Meets Art

This past March, Viktor & Rolf decided to cease their ready-to-wear operations for both women and men, closing all their global stores. They have now declared their intention to "create whatever they wish," focusing solely on haute couture. Their inaugural collection under this new direction was unveiled at the Paris Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2015-16 collections in July.

The venue was a large, square stage with white walls. The first look featured a denim tunic layered with an asymmetrically flared canvas skirt. The designers, Viktor & Rolf, then appeared, untying the skirt's ribbons. They removed the skirt and affixed it, in its distorted form, to the wall. It was revealed not as a skirt, but as a large framed art piece. The show unfolded as a dialogue between clothing and art.

The subsequent "painting dresses" showcased vibrant colors and imagery. Crafted entirely from fabric, without any prints, they were realized through jacquard and embroidery, resembling tapestries. This is "wearable art," achievable only through the meticulous craftsmanship of haute couture. Art collector Han Nefkens has acquired the entire collection, donating it to the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. Viktor & Rolf, having declared their commitment to creating art through fashion, expressed their satisfaction, stating, "This is precisely what we wanted to do." A new facet of haute couture has emerged.