THE VAN GOGH COLLECTION NYFW ‘23
THE VAN GOGH COLLECTION
New York Fashion Week '23
Van Gogh Self Portrait
(Autumn 1887)
Van Gogh painted 35 self-portraits during his life. His portraits often express emotion or thought. While in Paris, he described himself as, ‘quite unkempt and sad’ [...] something like, say, the face of – death’. Due to his lack of income, he would paint himself since he could not afford models. When he was sick, he wrote to Theo saying, ‘I retain all good hope.’ He believed painting would help heal him of his (mental and physical) sickness.
Van Gogh’s self-portrait (Autumn 1887) is my absolute favorite self-portrait of him. Not because it’s defined by his brush strokes but due to the creativity involved. I believe he speaks loudly through the deep blues and pops of yellow. For this piece especially, I wanted to signify him individually as well as his painting techniques.
The front of the artist's smock is inspired by Starry Night’s wind momentum, and the back is the self-portrait.
Van Gogh Self Portrait
(Autumn 1887)
Van Gogh painted 35 self-portraits during his life. His portraits often express emotion or thought. While in Paris, he described himself as, ‘quite unkempt and sad’ [...] something like, say, the face of – death’. Due to his lack of income, he would paint himself since he could not afford models. When he was sick, he wrote to Theo saying, ‘I retain all good hope.’ He believed painting would help heal him of his (mental and physical) sickness.
Van Gogh’s self-portrait (Autumn 1887) is my absolute favorite self-portrait of him. Not because it’s defined by his brush strokes but due to the creativity involved. I believe he speaks loudly through the deep blues and pops of yellow. For this piece especially, I wanted to signify him individually as well as his painting techniques.
The front of the artist's smock is inspired by Starry Night’s wind momentum, and the back is the self-portrait.
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Quotes Dress
“I’ll start with the small things,”
“What is done in love is done well,”
“I wish they would only take me as I am,”
“Art is but imitation of nature” are inscribed with hand-stitched tulle. Van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo as well as in his journal of his life. He was misunderstood and broken, yet the words he wrote were hauntingly poetic. There were many ideas for this specific design, and I wanted to use on the words he left.
Boat at Saint Marines
For this collection, I wanted to emphasize the process of creating a painting. You always start with some type of sketch, drawing, or reference to go by. For this dress, I painted a sketch of a boat Van Gogh sketched while sitting at St. Marines’ beach. I used canvas cloth to give it structure and black ink & paint to capture all the little details. If you look closely you can see faint pencil markings.
La Mousmé
For this collection, I wanted to emphasize the painting process. You always start with some type of sketch, drawing, or reference to go by. For this dress, I painted a sketch of a La Mousmé, a woman who lived in Arles, or what Van Gogh called “the Japan of the South.” I used canvas cloth to give it structure and black ink & paint to capture all the little details.
If you don’t know me, I love a good red lip and had to incorporate it in makeup and painting! The high-low dress has a ribbon V neckline to give the piece a touch of geometric style
The Sower after Millet
Van Gogh’s tribute to Millet (another famous artist) was through The Sower as well as several other pieces. Vincent highly regarded Millet stating,
”since Millet we have greatly deteriorated.” The meaning behind this painting (and several other similar pieces) is the parable found in Matthew 13, which speaks about the heart and the Word of the Lord.
This was my first piece I did for the collection, and it is near and dear to my heart. I was very weary on how/ if I could take on the job of recreating Van Gogh, but once I finished this piece I realized I can do this. Fun fact, My nephews helped me paint the sky (front) as well as the ground. Bless 🤍
Sunflowers
Van Gogh is known for his landscapes as well as his still life’s. My idea for these pants was to individualize each flower and to create my own print for the pants. Fun fact, the fabric for the pants is a tablecloth from Goodwill! I pulled out specific flowers, modified them accordingly to shape and size, then constructed them in such a way that they wouldn’t overpower each other.
Irises
Van Gogh is known for his landscapes as well as his still life’s. In May of 1890, he created four still lives before leaving St. Remey's mental asylum. Irises, sought a “harmonious and soft” effect by placing the “violet” flowers against a “pink background" (Met Museum). This square neckline dress is made out of a circular tablecloth I bought from Goodwill. I wanted to make it my goal to incorporate sustainability and bring "old" material to life.
Almond Flowers
Almond flowers represent new life and bloom in the spring. Van Gogh painted these flowers as a baby gift to his sister in law. Theo wrote to his brother saying, ‘As we told you, we’ll name him after you, and I’m making the wish that he may be as determined and as courageous as you.’ Vincent William became the founder of the Van Gogh Museum.
Fun fact, I didn’t have the motivation to paint this until the night before school and my ipad screen completely shattered. Creating the cracking effect. Thus inspiring me to paint Almond flowers. It took me a completion of 4.5 hours to paint and alittle over 2 to sew.
Starry Night Over the Rhone
Painted in 1888 in Arles, France. Van Gogh created various pieces inspired by the night sky. This design is a deep rich navy satin slip dress with a detachable skirt. The skirt is hand painted and embellished with hand-sewn beads, emphasizing the night stars.
Starry Night
Painted in June 1889, it depicts the east view of his room at Saint Rémy’s asylum. For this painting, he used more of his imagination rather than realism. The village for example, is not real, nor are some of the proportions.
I have no words to express the love I have for Starry night. When I was in 2nd grade I remember my art teacher had us draw Starry Night. I hope I made her proud 😊. The skirt took 2 weeks to complete, and over 3 layers of paint. I remember talking to @hollyhulsephotographer while painting and telling her, “Okay I got to go, I’m very close to finishing this!”
I am at a loss for words to express the love I have for this collection. Aside from the work, tears, and anxiety of ,”I have to make this perfect”; I learned so much about Van Gogh. In an odd way I felt emotion in the colours and the “why” behind each brush stroke. My top goal for my senior year is to have it shown in an art museum. As Van Gogh once said, “What is done in love is done well.” I hope you loved this collection as much as I do.
Starry Night
Painted in June 1889, it depicts the east view of his room at Saint Rémy’s asylum. For this painting, he used more of his imagination rather than realism. The village for example, is not real, nor are some of the proportions.
I have no words to express the love I have for Starry night. When I was in 2nd grade I remember my art teacher had us draw Starry Night. I hope I made her proud. The skirt took 2 weeks to complete, and over 3 layers of paint.
I am at a loss for words to express the love I have for this collection. Aside from the work, tears, and anxiety of ,”I have to make this perfect”; I learned so much about Van Gogh. In an odd way I felt emotion in the colours and the “why” behind each brush stroke. My top goal for my senior year is to have it shown in an art museum. As Van Gogh once said, “What is done in love is done well.” I hope you loved this collection as much as I do.