Art in Fashion – Daniela Gregis revisit
To emphasize the artistic/artisanal vision of Italian designer Daniela Gregis, a second post is needed to show you her concept for her s.s 2010 presentation decor. Daniela shows her collection in a beautiful space on within the compound of the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. The original church, noted for its medieval architecture was built around 386 by Bishop Ambrogio. In the mid 11th century, the Basilica was rebuilt in a Romanesque style on the original site. The skeletal remains of Saint Ambrose is on view in the crypt in his full on bishop finery.
In a 360 degree contrast to the fluorescent light sculpture from her March fall presentation presentation, for her s.s 2010 collection in September, Daniela Gregis strung dried peppers over colorful tubs in the courtyard of one of the many annexes within the grounds of the Basilica . These ropes of peppers were suspended from the vaulted archways along one wall. The simplicity of the ropes of dried peppers and the bold, joyful colors of the tubs mirrors the earthy but luxe hand of Daniela Gregis, pulling out the happy colors from the Liberty prints she used throughout her collection .
You had a sense you were in the countryside and everything around you had slowed down to a pleasant country pace and you could feel the warmth of the sun. A momentary, but very welcome pause, to stop and take a breath and to take in your beautiful surroundings.
It doesn’t stop there. Every season, Daniela presents to each of her clients or visitors a delicious home made butter cookie in the shape of a little man. Each one is wrapped in a square of print fabric from the current collection. This spring season, she tied it all up neatly with a small dried pepper on top. Her ability to charm and draw you into her world is always smile inducing and done with genuine warmth. Grazie Daniela, for the treat and your beautiful personal vision.
Art in Fashion – Daniela Gregis
Art and fashion, or rather art in fashion, is not such an out there concept.
There exist designers who are more artists.
Daniela Gregis is an Italian designer based in Bergamo, Italy. She is one designer who treats each of her creations as art. From fabric research and development to her presentations to her choice of space when she shows in Milan.
The light sculpture Daniela Gregis installed for her f.w 2010 presentation is definitely influenced by American modernist Dan Flavin. Born in New York in 1933, Flavin challenged himself with the artistic possibilities of commercially available fluorescent lighting. He first conceived of using light as an art form in 1961. Mr. Flavin played with the pattern of light, color and lines created as most sculptures were linear or geometric configurations. What was always of interest to me was how he could break down a wall, room or space by the placement of his light sculptures or even how a simple diagonally mounted fluorescent bulb on a wall in a room can redefine the space completely.
Dan Flavin’s works are included in the collections of the most important museums around the world. One of the most impressive is at the DIA Beacon in upstate New York along the shores of the Hudson Rover.
Daniela uses her light sculpture to define positive and negative space , interspersing pieces of her collection within the installation to create patterns and more positive/negative contrasts. It was tied into the contrasts and patterns she wove into her collection.
Always thoughtful, always beautifully realized.
for images of Dan Flavin’s works:
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=dan+flavin&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=NgfUS4iJA5bC-Qazx-SXDA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBsQsAQwAA
