Art married fashion in 2013

Malini Murjani and Domingo Zapata
New York-based accessories designer Malini Murjani tied up with Spanish contemporary artist Domingo Zapata. The dynamic artist lives and works between his studios in New York at The Bowery Hotel, Hollywood at the Chateau Marmont Hotel, and in the 16e arrondissement in Paris.

Said Malini of this unique marriage between fashion and art, “We collaborated for a website called V and M where he graffitied on my bags.”

Marni and Katja Schwalenberg
Collaborating with illustrator and typographer Katja Schwalenberg this season, Marni creates layered lino-cut prints with florals and leaves for shirts and tees.

Prada and mural artists
Trust Miuccia Prada to shock the fashion world with a new runway surprise each time. This year she brought a group of mural artists to decorate the venue then splashed those images of women onto fur bags and coats. “I want to inspire women to struggle,” she shared after her show.

The artists were: El Mac from the United States, Mesa from Spain, Gabriel Spencer from Canada, Stinkfish from Colombia, Jeanne Detallante from France (resides in the US), and Pierre Mornet from France.

Raf Simons and Sterling Ruby
Simon’s next catwalk collection for his own label will be created in collaboration with American artist Sterling Ruby. Set to be shown during Paris Menswear in January and branded Raf Simons/Sterling Ruby, the collection will replace Simons’ eponymous offering for one season only and will be offered at retail. “This unique collection, born from a long standing friendship and mutual admiration and the desire by both men to experience a creative process together, will translate into a complete men’s wardrobe that will combine the aggressive formal aesthetics of artist Sterling Ruby with Raf Simons constant search for innovation in men’s fashion,” a spokesperson said.

Etro with Thukral & Tagra
The iconic paisley of Etro was given a new touch by Indian artists Thukral and Tagra. Selected by Jacopo Etro, Creative Director of Accessories, after he was moved by their work in a gallery in India, the duo redesigned, reinterpreted and repeated the traditional print and splashed it across totes, satchels and wallets. ‘I thought it was very interesting and fun at the same time, which is what Etro is about, renewing the classics,’ Jacopo Etro shared as he unveiled the collection in London. ‘And I like the idea of working with Indian artists because the Paisley is Indian, it’s part of their tradition.’