Save articles for later
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.
Luxury fashion labels have infiltrated major art fairs in Venice and Miami but, for the time being, Sydney Contemporary remains a style hold-out.
Dior held a gala at last year’s Venice Biennale, and Dolce & Gabbana and Saint Laurent both staged shows at Art Basel Miami in December. This week, at Australia’s leading art fair Sydney Contemporary, the only signs of luxury are advertisements for Chanel watches inside the Carriageworks venue.
Sam Pauletto, Gigi Malherbe, Ebony Secombe, Sean Cordeiro and Kay Guthrie Adonis at the preview of Sydney Contemporary, Carriageworks.Credit: Photography: Wolter Peeters. Artwork: Marija Ercegovac
Despite recent collaborations from Australian labels Manning Cartell, Zimmermann and Alemais with artists, individuality dominated at the Sydney Contemporary preview on Wednesday, before Thursday’s opening night party.
Artists and exhibitors demonstrated that vintage finds and their own creations can make a greater impact than international trends.
Ebony Secombe, arts worker and artist
Artist and arts worker Ebony Secombe at Sydney Contemporary.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Jacket: Asos
Blouse: Vintage
Pants: General Pants
Shoes: Crocs. “The Jibbitz [official Crocs decoration] are a combination of legitimate ones and others.”
“There are so many worlds within the art world. There’s definitely the person wearing the black uniform with the statement necklace or earrings, but there’s room for so many types of people.”
“Streetwear is a way of expressing creativity and personal flair. Many people who might not consider themselves to be creative are in the way that they dress.”
Sam Pauletto, calligrapher and artist
Calligrapher and artist Sam Pauletto at the preview of Sydney Contemporary.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Sunglasses: Loewe
Shirt: Dion Lee
Jeans: Acne
Bag: Handmade
Shoes: Maison Margiela Tabis
Jewellery: “It’s all by Melbourne designers.”
“I find you see the most interesting outfits when you walk to and from the event.”
“We might see someone’s outfit and think it’s basic, but they’re comfortable. Then you can see someone wearing an extravagant dressed up outfit, and they don’t look comfortable.”
“The joy of these events is seeing someone where the fashion is the truest expression of themselves, and they’re glowing in their clothes. Even if they’re dressed as a caricature, it’s their truest self.”
Sean Cordeiro, artist
Artist and arts worker Ebony Secombe at Sydney Contemporary.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Hat: “It’s an Akubra sombrero. The Bush Tucker Man wears the same one.”
Suit: eBay. “It got shipped all the way from the US. I just had to cut a foot off it and put it on.”
“This is Australia’s premier art fair. It’s a lazy way to see art. I can come here, see everybody and see everything. It’s a bit of a barometer.”
“With my outfit I was thinking about Western cultural appropriation, so I thought I’d dress Western. Do you think I’m being too conceptual?”
“This is a step-up for me. Usually, at home I just walk around in grey. I live in Blackheath, which is where goths go to pasture. I put in some effort, coming to the big smoke.”
Gigi Malherbe, artist
Artist and National Art School graduate Gigi Malberbe at Sydney Contemporary, Carriageworks.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Outfit: “The op shop darling! These German hiking boots are from Vinnies.”
“There’s definitely a connection between art and fashion. There’s a lot of art using textiles now.”
“The uniform at events like this can be quite fancy but I try to play with it.”
“I look like I run a car wash.”
Kaye Guthrie Adonis, designer and artist
Perth-based artist Kaye Guthrie Adonis at the preview for Sydney Contemporary.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Outfit: AKA. Artwear. “Handmade and handpainted all by myself.”
“Sometimes in art everything can be neat and tidy, like it is in art school. I’m more freestyle and organic. I wear art every day but I feel the art industry still has to relax and shrug off the pretentious stuff.”
“There’s still that bit of exclusivity at something like this. If I see someone wearing a big white shirt from Commes des Garcons, I just want to paint it.”
“I don’t have any sizes for my fashion label. It’s to get people to feel free and be a little kinder to themselves and that’s reflected in my art work. There’s always a message.”
“You should have come tomorrow. I’ve made this cocktail dress made of paper from my old Vogue magazines.”
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
Most Viewed in Lifestyle
From our partners
Source: Read Full Article