by Karie L. Frost

Major Art-to-Art

There’s a palpable art beat pulsing through the spring/summer collections, and designers ready to go Van Gogh set their sights on every incarnation of art through their stunning creations. At Fendi and Moschino Cheap & Chic, dresses emblazoned with dizzying swirls of spray paint bring to mind the down-and-dirty esthetic of guerrilla graffiti artists. Meanwhile, Narcisco Rodriguez channels abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock, turning out a smart gray shift mottled with fits and spurts of violet, navy and black paint. Equally smart, the diagonal spikes of color on the Marni runway express the same fluidity as Edvard Munch’s The Scream—perfectly chic for an art gallery opening. Perhaps the grandest of bold strokes goes to Dolce & Gabbana, where the designers hand-painted impressionistic flora onto grandiose gowns. The result: instant works of art.
 
Your canvas is the nail—why not create an objet d’art on par with this season’s artistic leanings? Dizzy the optic nerve with concentric circles a la Fendi; swish some bold paint strokes on a vibrant background like Chloé; or leave a lasting impression with impressionistic florals like Dolce & Gabbana.

Fashion photos: Andreea Angelescu; Nail art: Pam Minch; Nail art photos: Dawn W Klugman