Mad for Mats Gustafson

I have learned, in buying for RARE vintage, never to say never.  Because you never know.  I never entirely shut the door on a designer - who may not be a favorite of mine - just because you never know when you will see something unexpected and fall in love.  I always want to see before deciding no - or yes.

And you know how I was just writing about Antonio Lopez and fashion illustration?  How fashion illustration was never a particular favorite genre of mine until I saw Joe Eula's drawings for Halston.  Well, never say never, because now I have fallen for the Swedish illustrator Mats Gustafson.

Mats Gustafson saw the work of Antonio Lopez when he was growing up in Sweden and it "triggered something in me that made me think I can do this".  And in 1978 he received a commission from Grace Coddington at British Vogue.

In the 1980s Gustafson moved to New York and started creating illustrated advertising campaigns for Romeo Gigli, Commes des Garçons and Yohji Yamamoto.  (Those were the days!  Love all of those 80s pieces from Gigli, Commes, Yohji...)

Mats Gustafson for Romeo Gigli.  Vogue Italia. 1990

Mats Gustafson for Romeo Gigli.  Swimsuit.  1989

Mats Gustafson for Yohji Yamamoto.  Vogue Italia.  1999

And now Gustafson was commissioned by Raf Simons at the house of Dior to draw some of the pieces from Fall 2013 and Resort 2013 collections...  I will definitely be ordering the book Mats Gustafson Watercolors.

Dior by Mats Gustafson. 2014

Dior by Mats Gustafson.  2014

Dior by Mats Gustafson.  2014

love, kisses and vintage,  Juliana

Future Collectible: Comme des Carrés by Rei Kawakubo for Hermes

One of my favorite lines in the film Jurassic Park is by Jeff Goldblum (in the role he never quite got over) as the Chaotician Dr Ian Malcolm was: "I'm always on the lookout for the next future ex-Mrs. Malcolm."

And as an amateur Chaotician at RARE vintage (I never know what I am going to find and when I am going to find it - but more then Chaos, I think of is as a truly wonderful Surprise) "I'm always on the lookout for the next future vintage."

According to WWD Rei Kawakubo has teamed up with Hermes for two limited edition collections of the iconic Hemres scarf.  In February the first collection titled "Noir et Blancs" will be sold exclusively at Comme des Garcons stores in Tokyo, New York and Paris.  

"I have always had an immense respect for Hermes tradition and artisanal know how." said Kawakubo. "During this joint project, rather then being gathered by the idea of the scarf as it is worn, I became interested instead in the beautiful "artworks" that the designs on Hermes carrés represent, and I sought to change them by adding elements.  By combining them with abstract images, we have transformed the carré and created a unique object."

Unique - and collectible.  Soon to be RARE vintage.  See you at Comme des Garçons in February!

You can read the full story here.

Fits Like a Glove: Comme des Garcons

I never think of fashion as something frivolous.  I am a firm believer that fashion is an art form.  Truly great fashion is imagined by designers and crafted by a dwindling number of artisans skilled in techniques which the two haute couture seasons save from being lost to obscurity.  Without the haute couture employing these men and women (the petites mains), we would only see the magic that can be created by needle and thread in the costume collections of museums.

But having said that, I do love a bit of fashion frivolité. 

"I'm tired of mundane, everyday fashion.  I want something that takes us to another world." Rei Kawakubo on her fall 2007 Comme des Garcons collection. 

Why a padded glove holding the hips of a long, narrow skirt?  Why not.  Fashion is not just an art form, it's fun too!  This could be the motto for RARE vintage!

fall 2007 Comme des Garcons "Glove' skirt.

PURCHASE

INQUIRY