(image by KNOTORYUS, Individually handmade leather « SKULL » bag AMBUSH ® x Masaya Kushino)
"Andy Warhol: Life, Death and Beauty" is a unique exhibit at the BAM museum in Mons, Belgium. Thanks to the collaboration with the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, it features several Warhol works that have seldom or never before been seen in Europe.
KNOTORYUS was asked to curate a small Pop Up exhibit-within-the-exhibit showcasing fashion inspired by Andy Warhol. In the expo, KNOTORYUS brings together high fashion, streetwear aesthetics and pieces from all over the world, showcasing Warhol's continuing influence on everyone from the highest ranks in couture to the newest, cutting-edge talents currently rising in the fashion scene.
BAM (Beaux Arts Mons)Rue neuve 8 – 7000 Mons – BelgiumT+32 65 40 53 30Open : Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm.
(image (c) KNOTORYUS)
Dominique Nzeyimana was able to convince Dior to lend out a unique selection of silhouettes from the infamous "The Persistence of Memory" 2013/2014 Fall/Winter collection by Raf Simons. The collection was inspired by the early illustrations of Andy Warhol, when he was still mainly working as a commercial artist for advertising companies and magazines. Raf Simons was granted access to the full Warhol archives and drew from the 1950's drawings to illustrate his Dior garments and accessories. The collection was designed in conjunction with Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The Pop Up exhibit in Mons features (amongst other pieces) the Lady Dior printed dress and the embroidered dress inspired by Warhol's famous flowers pieces.
(Dior Lady Print dress, image courtesy of Dior)
(Dior embroidered flower dress, image courtesy of Dior)
This is only the second time these pieces have been shown to the general public since the catwalk release. (The first show being at Colette, Paris in October 2013.)
Another direct reference can be seen in the 'Psycho Dress' by UEG, inspired by Warhol's "Fragile Dress".
(Left image: courtesy of Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Right image: (c) KNOTORYUS)
Of course Warhol's influence is far greater than these direct references. To showcase some of the more cutting edge and contemporary influences, KNOTORYUS chose a silhouette by Devon Halfnight LeFlufy. Devon graduated from the Antwerp Fashion Academy in the Summer of 2013 and has already been picked up by the likes of Opening Ceremony. The silhouette shown at the Pop Up exhibit consists of original pieces from his Graduation Collection called "True Believer".
The silk skirt for this silhouette features a large print of Lindsay Lohan, a perfect fit to Warhol's celebrity-obsession and use of portrait prints. The jacket has a portrait by the New York-based artist Brian Kokoska embroidered on the sleeves. The leather mask is an original artwork by the same painter.
(Image by Alex Salinas for Devon Halfnight LeFlufy)
Apart from the silhouettes, there are also a range of accessories on display (you can see a few of those in the top image, but for the full selection, you'll have to pay the exhibit a visit).
The opening night of POP UP was attended by Belgian's Prime Minister, Elio Di Rupo, seen here looking suitably impressed by Dominique.
A week before the opening date, KNOTORYUS produced and art directed a fashion shoot inspired by the exhibit with photographer Alex Salinas (Dazed & Confused, Harper's Bazaar...) for the weekly culture and style magazine for national newspaper De Morgen. To see more from that shoot, click the image below.
See you at the museum!
(Special thanks to : An Michiels, Guillaume Salmon, Yesmine Lawton and everybody at BAM)
