Grace Kleinsman

Colour: Resene Renaissance

"I decided from the beginning I wanted to explore and develop the link between 'paint' and 'garment' in Renaissance art.
Through my research, I learned that oil paintinn could be depicted (through art) to the viewer. Oil painting and the effects it had on the depiction of fashion ing had just been discovered at the time of the Renaissance. This paved the way for significant developments in the way that fashio Renaissance art, therefore came to serve as the inspiration for my design process.
Oil painting allowed a much greater amplification of colour which in turn resulted in the clarity, detail and precision seen in garments in Renaissance art. This allowed artists, such as Jan Van Eyck to be more faithful to the depiction of the garment.
I have named this design 'Renaissance revival' because I really wanted to bring to life the same elements expressed in Renaissance art through oil painting. And so, I have sought to create stark contrasts: between the structured lines of the sari on the bodice, and the panelled lines of the hood with the drape of the skirt. The back bodice features these same structural lines and the bodice follows the shape and lines of the hood, creating continuity in the garment.

I came to the conclusion that oil painting, which was able to give so much more meaning and clarity to the garment in art, helped express a lot about the power of the individual portrayed. The use of rich, expensive pigments helped me to identify sitters as wealthy, global citizens and showed their prestige. The hood is for me, a way to show how our culture has progressed from these times and how the concept of power has been transformed. Today, living in a data and information rich age, I believe that power is in anonymity. I have therefore designed the hood to partially cover the face and eyes and I believe it also helps to direct focus on the garment itself.

I have used contrasting colours of green, purple and gold to help bring to life the Resene Renaissance colour and to draw on the same effects as oil paint did in Renaissance art, creating focus and giving richness of effect. As I see ii, this has helped to define shape and contribute to the overall power of the garment as it is bright to life by the wearer."

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