21st century collections and Pablo Picasso

We all know of Pablo Picasso, whether it be from Blue Nude, Accordionist, or his work's appearance in modern catwalk shows. As Picasso once said, "we don't grow old, we grow riper" and concerning his art works with their presence nowadays his words have echoed into this decade. From as early as 1920 the fashion world has used Cubism influences (the style of art Picasso pioneered): the geometric shapes and forms of Cubism inspired and evolved Art Deco, the art movement that created the 20’s tubular silhouette. More modernised uses of Picasso’s style are cubed prints, as well as the 20’s distorted silhouette.

One of the most notable influences of Picasso in a designer’s collection is Oscar De La Renta’s 2012 Resort Collection, where De La Renta focuses solely on Picasso’s Cubist period, and not just using cubist shapes. De La Renta has also recycled many of Picasso’s colour schemes from specific artworks, such as The Old Guitarist; De La Renta’s show walked a blue/beige combination coloured dress, mimicking the melancholy atmosphere of Picasso’s gloomy looking guitarist. Another adopted colour scheme is Picasso’s iconic prominently beige works, such as Seated Woman, and Girl with Mandolin. As well as taking inspiration from Picasso’s work De La Renta has delved into incorporating Picasso’s Spanish roots to the collection, with matador jackets, high waist narrow cut pants, teamed with the spontaneous appearance of stark-red. The collection as a whole works as a nod to Picasso’s admirable contribution to the art and fashion world, the collection being described as “fresh, elegant, and unmistakable Oscar” by Hannah Elliot for Forbes [1].

Another appearance Picasso has made in this decade’s fashion has been through Jean-Charles de Castelbajac’s vibrant SS14 collection. The abstract faces on many of de Castelbajac’s designs are comparable to the many abstract faces Picasso painted, such as The Weeping Woman, Jacquline, and Tete de Feme (to name only a few). De Castelbajac’s SS14 collection awakens the childlike art styles Picasso admired throughout his career, and to quote the artist himself “it took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child”, De Castelbajac has brought to life once again the main influence of Picasso’s abstruse mind.

Picasso’s art style is not only found in 21st century fashion through prints, but through the more unique works of acclaimed Photographer Eugenio Recuenco. Recuenco’s fashion photography series of 2013 is a conspicuous acknowledgement of Picasso’s work, from the model’s styling, the images’ compositions, and each individual image’s atmosphere. Recuenco is characterised as “one of the most famous and prolific fashion photographers today” by Patricia Ramos, for Exposure Guide 2013; a title well-deserved even if solely based on this Picasso inspired photography series [2].

Although art and fashion have their differences, the exquisite relationship Pablo Picasso unknowingly shares with the 21st century fashion industry creates a enduring bond between the two industries, a bond that undoubtedly will last as long as creativity exists.

[1]: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hannahelliott/2011/05/17/oscar-de-la-renta-resort-2012-picasso-and-his-guitar/#29989c066f3a

[2]: https://www.exposureguide.com/fashion-photography-inspired-by-pablo-picassos-paintings/