If we look beyond the image of a typical architect dressed head-to-toe in black, wearing smart shoes and quirky eyewear, we’ll find an abundance of physical proof that testifies to architects’ love of fashion. From Julian Hakes’ swirling stilettos to Jean Oscar Niemeyer-designed trainers and digitally manufactured dresses, architects’ excursions into fashion territory keep producing stunning objects. However, these seem to be mostly formal exercises in geometry and more recently, 3D printing and sensor technology. Serious technological and material research, investigations into the culture of clothing and prêt-à-porter fashion are rarely embarked upon by architects. Except for a few high fashion pieces and limited edition items designed by starchitects and meant for the design-obsessed, there seems to be a lack of collaboration between the two disciplines, both of which deal in environments but rarely seem to recognize their mutual complementarity. Until recently, crossovers between architecture and fashion have been executed almost exclusively through store design for luxury brands. Rem Koolhaas’ long standing relationship with Prada and Zaha Hadid’s designs for Neal Barrett’s in Tokyo are among some of the most famous collaborations between fashion and architecture brands. This collaboration has expanded into fashion itself and brought footwear into the spotlight ...
If we look beyond the image of a typical architect dressed head-to-toe in black, wearing smart shoes and quirky eyewear, we’ll find an abundance of physical proof that testifies to architects’ love of fashion. From Julian Hakes’ swirling stilettos to Jean Oscar Niemeyer-designed trainers and digitally manufactured dresses, architects’ excursions into fashion territory keep producing stunning objects. However, these seem to be mostly formal exercises in geometry and more recently, 3D printing and sensor technology. Serious technological and material research, investigations into the culture of clothing and prêt-à-porter fashion are rarely embarked upon by architects. Except for a few high fashion pieces and limited edition items designed by starchitects and meant for the design-obsessed, there seems to be a lack of collaboration between the two disciplines, both of which deal in environments but rarely seem to recognize their mutual complementarity. Until recently, crossovers between architecture and fashion have been executed almost exclusively through store design for luxury brands. Rem Koolhaas’ long standing relationship with Prada and Zaha Hadid’s designs for Neal Barrett’s in Tokyo are among some of the most famous collaborations between fashion and architecture brands. This collaboration has expanded into fashion itself and brought footwear into the spotlight ...