Watermelon Feeling

2016

Viktor&Rolf at NGV

Viktor&Rolf is a Dutch fashion artists duo, showing their works for the first time in Australia. The avant-garde duo surely has a different perspective towards what we commonly call fashion. Their approach of 'wearable art' impacts their whole process of making their pieces up to the final design. 

The picture that you see above is a collection they presented in Spring Summer 2016 based on a polo shirt and elements of Cubist facial feature. The work intrigued me so much because of the simplicity and intricacy of it. It is stunning how you can present boldness in a measured movement and placement of garment. The collection itself was called The Performance of Sculptures.

Another collection that brought my attention was the Zen Garden. A high concept of a raked Japanese   sand garden, where the pieces are made based on what the model will be on stage: an arrangement of rocks. It is interesting how Viktor&Rolf actually begin their design process by thinking about how they will present it at the show, creating this whole new approach and holistic presentation.

This collection from 1999 is definitely a unique one especially in terms of its presentation. A model was standing on a turntable to be fitted with layers of clothing that build up over the show until its stunning final overcoat is worn.

And of course, a favourite section of any special exhibitions for me would be the kids section. NGV somehow always does this amazingly. At this Viktor&Rolf's kids section, children were allowed to explore their inner experimentalist. They were equipped with basic paper and tools to create collars based on their imagination. One thing I also noticed from Viktor&Rolf was how they set boundaries for themselves. For example, only using one colour in their collection and allowing themselves to think beyond the boundaries. Sometimes limitation does help to expand our way of thinking, isn't that true?

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