Dan Flavin

Perhaps it’s because he was just recently featured in both the MOMA’s Color Chart exhibition and had his own solo show at Zwirner + Wirth, but artist Dan Flavin is having a moment–and the fashion world is contributing to his resurgence by paying homage to his oeuvre. The influence of the minimalist artist’s masterpieces–i.e. his distinctive fluorescent light works–can be seen across the current sartorial landscape, in realms both high….

…and low:

Of course, that fluorescent lights are becoming a popular fashion prop makes sense considering the rising “It”-factor of neon hues. (Only problem is, these colored lights aren’t exactly green, but that’s for another post—and blog.) But the irony is, that since Flavin’s novel approach (the artist broke onto the scene in the ‘60s, and passed away in 1996) was that he used commercially-available items as his medium…and now similar installations are being used to make commercial visuals seem more artistic.

Flavin’s work at LACMA

Whether Flavin-esque bright lights will be a permanent fixture in the fashion world remains to be seen of course, but the artists works can be found at The DIA’s Dan Flavin Art Institute.

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Rootstein’s Agyness Deyn Mannequin

Here’s a preview shot of one of the Agyness Deyn Rootstein mannequins that will be formally (and by formally I mean with a turntable and champers-fueled fête) unveiled later this week. When I first saw the pose I must admit I was a bit disappointed; the subservient turned-in-legs-arms-all-akimbo stance isn’t exactly an appropriate pose to immortalize the bold, head-turning British catwalker.

But then, brushing my feminist concerns aside (for a few minutes anyway) I realized that the mannequin stance did make reference to some iconic (albeit fictitious) women: Nike, The Winged Victory of Samothrace which can be found in the Louvre and A Crainte des Traits de l’Amour, by 18th century sculptor Jean-Louis Lemoyne. (His rococo masterpiece is located in the Metropolitan Museum.) The comparison of the 3 sculptures kept the aforementioned criticism at bay, as it suggests that Agyness’s career—and the mannequin she inspired—is indeed an impressive work of art.

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The Soft Rock Trend, as illustrated by Urban Outfitters

Full disclosure: I like soft rock. A lot. It’s a recent obsession, prompted by a resurgence of retro soundtracks and one tantalizing infomercial. ( Time Life Soft Rock Series. Try to catch it if you can. Hell, TiVo it if possible. Ten bucks says you’ll start singing along with the TV before it’s over.)

I like soft rock so much that I actually spent a good chunk of money and time to see Christopher Cross in concert last weekend. (Perhaps you remember his hits: Sailing, Ride Like the Wind and the Authur’s Song? Are you misty-eyed with nostalgia yet? Thought so.) Much like the aforementioned infomercial, his performance was simply amazing, in that super-sentimental, uncomplicated kind of way.

While it can be hard to adequately define the ‘70s musical genre, Cross describes his music as being mid-tempo; neither fast or slow, but some slow, hazy blend of the middle. It was then that I realized there’s a full-on soft rock sartorial movement going on right now.

Think of it this way: When applied to clothing, “mid-tempo” can translate into something that’s neither dressy nor casual. Now think of the number of items in your wardrobe—or in your favorite shop—that are neither formal nor fuss-free?

Still don’t know what I’m talking about?

Take a look at these ensembles:

From left: Lux @ Urbn, Mint @ Shopbop, Kimchi& Blue @ Urbn

Not party dresses exactly, but not schlumpy outfits either right?

Clockwise from top: Moccasin @ Urbn, Pau&Joe @ Shopbop, Frye @ Shopbop, Gladiator @ Urbn

And these shoes? You could wear them to work, maybe, but probably only on CasFris. (A.k.a. Casual Fridays. Sorry, my lame inner Gossip Girl made me do it.)

Bags all from Urban Outfitters

And these lovely little structure-less totes? Can wear them most places, but can’t bring these to grandma’s house or the gym.

From left: Madewell, Charlotte Ronson @ Shopbop, Free People @ Urbn

Chances are you’re quite familiar with the kind of styles above—all of which, might I add, serve as the pitch-perfect answer to the tough-luxe rock’n'roll trend that’s just about to wind down. Channeling a romantic ease and a faint ’70s vibe, these pieces fit into a trend that I’ll now fondly refer to as Soft Rock Style. Catchy isn’t it?

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Welcome to the first installment of Casual Observations, a section in which we point out a sartorial movement that’s neither here nor there—and yet somehow worthy of our attention for a few brief seconds.

First off, it seems that Feist’s quirky-cool melody wasn’t the only catchy aspect about her 1,2,3,4 music video. Her distinctive costume may have sparked a mini-trend for blue sequin ensembles, as evidenced by Preen’s Fall/Winter 2008 show as well as Sunglass Hut’s recent ad campaign. (How else do you explain the rise of this reimagined ’80s look?)

And speaking of Preen, the arty UK label seems to be having a moment of it’s own thanks to tastemakers like Gwyneth Paltrow and Agyness Deyn who have been seen out and about in Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi’s sculptural LBD’s. Maybe the duo’s stylish threads are what Matrix team had in mind when they outfitted their spring ‘08 spokesbabe?

Snaps = Runway Elle.com, Paltrow BMPC, Deyn Wireimage

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