We explore the Mount Street brands fusing contemporary art with fashion.
Regardless of the time of year, London is an art lover’s dream, with a never-ending stream of quirky pop-up galleries materialising alongside some of the world’s finest art institutions.
But in the autumn, the capital steps things up a notch. For just a few days, Regents Park hosts one of the world’s greatest art fairs, Frieze London, bringing together more than 160 internationally recognised galleries. This year, the event runs from 6 to 9 October, during which time visitors can view and buy art from more than 1,000 leading artists and experience the fair’s critically acclaimed Frieze Projects and Talks programmes.
Close by, Mayfair has long been hailed as one of the city’s most significant art hubs, with the galleries of Cork Street and the Royal Academy pulling in visitors from far and wide. Now also home to the Gagosian Gallery on Grosvenor Hill, as well as a number of specially curated sculptures and art installations, it has cemented its place as a world-renowned creative destination.
Mayfair’s Mount Street is an ideal place for art connoisseurs to head for a spot of lunch or shopping following a morning soaking up the art world’s latest creations – whether in Regents Park or Mayfair. Many of the eponymous designers here are known for their collaborations with up-and-coming artists, or for their own personal relationship with art. Here are five that are worth paying a visit:
J&M Davidson
Luxury accessories and ready-to-wear brand J&M Davidson, which opened its flagship store on Mount Street in February, is known for collaborating with artists who embody its timeless style. Over the years, co-founders John and Monique have worked with fashion illustrator Tanya Ling, as well as floral artist Rebecca Louise Law, whose dried-flower installation fills the boutique’s ground-floor ceiling.
Jessica McCormack
Across the road in Carlos Place, jewellery designer Jessica McCormack’s boutique could be described as a gallery in its own right. Alongside the designer’s own jewellery collection, you’ll find an incredible array of art works on display. Jessica has personally curated every aspect of the showroom, from her own displays to the assortment of rare and unusual objects that sit alongside the contemporary works adorning the walls.
Roksanda
She may be known for her putting her stamp on London’s fashion scene, but Roksanda Ilincic actually began her design journey studying architecture and applied arts in her native Belgrade. Today, the fashion designer’s artistic heritage shines through each of her collections – the Roksanda fashion house is known for its bold use of colour and unusual textiles. Her immersion in the world of art has led to impressive collaborations with a number of artists’ networks, including the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation and Studio Voltaire.
Christopher Kane
Since his debut in 2006, art and photography have remained a constant source of inspiration for Christopher Kane – as is demonstrated by last year’s Autumn/Winter collection, based on life drawings and art therapy. Christopher’s relationship with art was conveyed more explicitly in May this year, when the designer curated a selection of works to be displayed in his flagship store, to coincide with the Phillips Gallery Photography Sale. The exhibition included the likes of Araki, Jospeh Szabo, Robert Mapplethorpe and Richard Mosse.
Marni
According to the fashion brand’s Creative Director Consuelo Castiglioni, “Marni is a range of possibilities.” In her search for inspiration, Consuelo involves artists, both established and up-and-coming, in a range of intriguing design projects. More recently, the brand joined forces with Swedish street artist Ekta and Scottish-born painter Jack Davidson to create a range of PVC bags in eye-popping prints.
