Wearing Richter This Fall: Art-Inspired Fashion

I went to Washington D.C for the first time this past May. I had less than forty-eight hours to see everything, and boy did I try to see everything. I lugged my backpack around and went to more than three museums, trespassed a posh hotel for a cool drink, let the sun graze my skin a little too aggressively than I would’ve liked, and most importantly, saw a Gerhard Richter painting! It was so yellow and creamy and I just wanted to eat it. As I looked at it, streaked with pinks and deep crimsons, hovering just a couple of inches off the ground, I wondered what it would look like against my skin. What would it look like as a dress?

All hail Abstract Painting # 780-1

When I was a student, when Art was becoming more of a certainty than an afterthought, a professor suggested I look at Gerhard Richter’s paintings. I liked the rich and buttery surfaces of his paintings, they seemed to sustain miniature civilizations within them. I enjoyed watching videos of his process, the pressing and rolling and peeling, he barely used brushes and I didn’t like using brushes and I fantasized that perhaps if I too, rolled and pressed and peeled, I could produce those textures. I liked the fact that he doesn’t speak English and so his videos are not laden with explanations of “hidden meanings” that are not even there.

So back to the yellow-ish painting I wanted to eat. Its left corner had steely blues that were interjected with stripes of yellow, to make for a less abrupt transition to the other warmer-toned corner, I guess. But the yellow stripes, laid thinly on top of the darker background, brought to mind cotton and yarn spread delicately across a loom, ready to be spun. So naturally, I thought of clothing— the kind that’s woven and oftentimes become indelible marks of a culture, a testament to its durability. I thought of the Kente and the Batakari and the Bogolan and all the fabrics that are imbued with stories of peoples whose stories are sometimes forgotten.

There’s something formidable and lasting about thick and woven surfaces. I think that’s the reason I’m not too anxious about the growing popularity of the Kente cloth; maybe even when it’s borrowed and worn without much understanding or thought, its dignity will not erode because it’s thick. Go figure!

So in attempt to incorporate a more fashion-forward side to this blog, I’ve curated a “mini collection” based on the Gerhard Richter painting I saw that day. I want this post to be an homage to thick pieces, patterns that remind me of home, and colors that look edible! Especially since Fall is underway and heavy clothing is becoming more of a necessity than a vibe.

This smock from Madewell is not exactly thick or woven but the pattern reminds me of the batakari.

How lovely is this jumpsuit? It’s from William Okpo, a contemporary womenswear line owned by Nigerian-American sisters, Darlene and Lizzy Okpo. It’s cute but only check the price at your own risk.

This sweater from Free People looks so cozy! The powder-blue is what gets me.

I’ve been watching these Madewell pants from afar, but now that they’re on sale I might actually get them.

This dress from Topshop looks like it could be a year-round closet staple. Love the tailoring.

How adorable is this whole outfit? The pink looks edible and I’m here for it!

These 70s inspired bell bottoms from Free People will make you look artsy if nothing.