Art and Fashion

*Illustration by Danielle Meder

Art and fashion have been intertwined for centuries, if you consider the embroidered shawls of the Indian subcontinent and the more recent collaborations of contemporary artists with fashion houses like Louis Vuitton.  W magazine and Vogue are two fashion publications that regularly feature art in their pages and designers like Shernett Swaby create couture dresses that are a work of art in their own right.

I have been a fashion nut since I was a child.  It was never something that was frivolous or superficial to me -- quite the opposite, it was a way for me to play and express myself using textiles, makeup, jewelry.  I designed a line of tunics for a short period while I was living in Boston and I used my embroidery palette like an artist uses paint.  

Part of my regular web reading includes some great fashion websites that I thought I would share with those of you who enjoy fashion as much as I do.

In Life and In Fashion - this is a relatively new blog written by a woman I knew growing up in Newfoundland.  She is also of Indian origin and oddly enough tracked me down through this blog some 20 years since I last saw her.  She has been a fashion buyer for companies including the Gap, Banana Republic and now, Joe Fresh, and her blog is one of my regular reads when I need my fashion fix.

Final Fashion - Written by Toronto fashion illustrator Danielle Meder, this blog is a blend of fashion, art, music and life.  Most of all, I love looking at her illustrations.

Shoe Daydreams - The title says it all, I think!  For the shoe addict...

Victoria & Albert Museum - this museum in London is exquisite from the exterior - I would often walk by on visits to Kensington.  It has a large collection of clothing and jewelry from the 17th century onwards and often puts on fashion-focused exhibitions as well as a good online bookshop for fashion & art publications.

I know there are many more out there, so if you have some favourites, do share with me!  Leave the link in the comments or email me at amrita[at]tinkugallery[dot]com