https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 03:53:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-994681 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 00:21:45 +0000 rae 994681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it can be but isn't always. I think an outfit can be like performance art, too. But again, not always. I don't think all paintings are art, either. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-994678 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 00:19:40 +0000 Deborah 994678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely see it as an art form.&nbsp; When I consider the creative process that goies into designing, constructing etc clothing I would say yes.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-994665 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 00:01:05 +0000 Echo 994665@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely think that many designers are artists. However, I also agree with Thistle that fashion can be, but need not be, art. Many people dress for practicality in clothing that was mass-produced, and I don't consider that art in any sense. Then again, many people dress themselves creatively or for self-expression in mass-produced clothing, too, and that counts as a form of artistry. The boundaries and definitions are very fluid, but a lot depends on intent in my mind.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-994614 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 23:33:47 +0000 HelenInCanada 994614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In a word - yes. &nbsp;Designers are often brilliant artists. &nbsp;Some designs are like abstract art, others commercial art - but there is creativity, craft, and re-imaginings often involved. &nbsp;Colour, texture, shape, theme -&nbsp;all can be played around with in fashion. &nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-994400 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 20:06:01 +0000 rachylou 994400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thistle brings up the distinction between applied arts and purely aesthetic ones. And of course often people like to reserve the term "art" for the purely aesthetic. In that sense, I'd have to say fashion is an applied art and not art... on the other hand, so much of fashion now is in all truth useless, perhaps it *is* fair to say it's escaped the bounds of technicality... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-994249 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 18:55:14 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 994249@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I read a quote once that said something along the lines of "art is something with a frame around it". I think it's true, these days - it's all about what experts decide 'counts' and what doesn't, and what the metaphorical (or literal) frame surrounds and excludes. Not to get too meta about it all, but I think the disintermediation of culture that's happened in the last century or so is generally a good thing - we can express ourselves in our clothes and do art in our daily lives rather than only some things counting as art or important or worth looking at. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-994095 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 16:25:17 +0000 Thistle 994095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it <i><b>can </b></i>be but isn't necessarily.&nbsp;&nbsp;Everyone has to wear clothes in my part of the world, so it is also a necessity. Necessities, in my view, are not art, although they can be worn as such.&nbsp; Just like cars can be art. Or food can be art. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-994089 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 16:21:26 +0000 T-Rex 994089@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely believe that Fashion can be Art. And whether or not it *is* art is largely in the eye of the beholder. Art critics are there to assist us with interpretation of art, but they don't have the final word on whether something is "art" or not. </p> <p>I recognize that giving the power to determine if something is "art" solely to the person who sees and interprets and/or appreciates the work has it's limitations. If a masterpiece is completed by the artist and left in an attic for decades, does it only become "art" once someone finds it? Is it "not art" one second, then becomes "art" the next? I'm not so sure about that. I have to believe that the intention of the artist counts for something, but that the artist's intention is only part of what determines&nbsp;whether or not something&nbsp;can be considered&nbsp;art.</p> <p>As for whether or not what we do when we put our outfits together can be considered "art" or "craft", I don't know. It is definitely self expression, and could be considered "art" or "craft" depending on how innovative you are (art?) or how well you have honed your instincts to choose the clothing elements needed to do the job, whether that job is self expression or just looking appropriate for the occasion (craft?). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993513 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 00:04:04 +0000 Jeanie 993513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Definitely! &nbsp;I've always thought of fashion as art that you wear. &nbsp;I seek boutiques just to see how beautifully the clothes are constructed and to see the vibrancy and the fluidity of the fabric.&nbsp; It takes my breath away to see a beautifully designed dress&nbsp;in the same way looking at (say) a Monet in person does. &nbsp;It takes creative vision to design clothes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993484 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 23:18:20 +0000 Suz 993484@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It can absolutely be an art, and it is always creative expression (at least for the designer, and sometimes for a wearer.) It is a bit like music -- for the composer (designer) it certainly is art; for the musician (wearer) it may or may not be, depending on a host of factors (ability, dedication, practice, etc.)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993458 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 22:59:35 +0000 Caro in Oz 993458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wearable art is a category imo.&nbsp;The boundaries of what is art &amp; what isn't seem to be&nbsp;really fluid. Impressionism wasn't considered "art" by many critics. Instillations still aren't.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993155 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 19:02:42 +0000 Anonymous 993155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fashion and fashion design is definitely art. Yes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993149 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 18:57:41 +0000 Gabrielle 993149@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally think of fashion as art. &nbsp;I always have. &nbsp;I always will. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993146 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 18:50:41 +0000 ironkurtin 993146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sure, it can be! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993074 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:50:37 +0000 TraceyLiz65 993074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great topic and I believe it is definitely a form if art and stylists are artists...even my hairstylist approaches his craft through an artistic lens. Fashion designers sketch their designs first. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993072 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:49:05 +0000 rachylou 993072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh I do, most certainly. On many levels. From clothes making to styling. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993071 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:48:54 +0000 Isabel 993071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I completely agree with Laura on this ! &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993065 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:42:49 +0000 Anonymous 993065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fashion is absolutely art.&nbsp; Not everyone&nbsp;chooses there clothing that way but if it wasn't art there wouldn't be a fashion industry.&nbsp; We would cover ourselves with what ever was most practical for lifestyle and&nbsp;environment.&nbsp; Even in history when&nbsp;people did dress mostly for practical reasons they artistically embellished what they wore&nbsp;for celebrations and rituals.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />Great first topic! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993057 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:32:29 +0000 debs 993057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good point Laura.&nbsp; If fashion design can be art, who is it that makes that call?&nbsp; Who decides if it is art or not?&nbsp; In tradional art it's the art critics, writers of the art history books, collectors.&nbsp; So,&nbsp;in fashion design, is it the fashion magazines, Anna Wintour :), the buyers, and collectors, or is it when it is given legitamacy when shown in a museum? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993055 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:25:11 +0000 AviaMariah 993055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Totally a form of self expression. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993050 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:23:30 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 993050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think fashion design can be an art, just like architecture or anything else that aims to make something artistic and yet useful. I think our daily dressing is probably more like a craft or artistic form of expression. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-fashion-art#post-993039 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:10:50 +0000 debs 993039@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Is Fashion Art?</p> <p>Has anyone seen the new show at SAM, Future Beauty: 30 years of Japanese Fashion?&nbsp; It seems to be making a case for fashion as an art form.&nbsp; I know a lot of you use fashion as an outlet for creative expression, and I feel the same way.&nbsp; Do you think of fashion design as a legitimate form of art? It certainly expains for me why some fashion is unwearable.</p> <p>BTW, my first time starting a topic.&nbsp; :)</p> <p> </p>