On-The-Ground Coverage By Nels Frye (STYLITES IN BEIJING)
Lacoste is launching its 2010 Collector’s Series, for which it has tapped Chinese contemporary artist Li Xiaofeng (best known for his “porcelain shard” creations), this week in Paris at the famed Hôtel Costes. In the run-up to the official launch on Friday, Jing Daily will be posting dispatches from Nels Frye (Stylites in Beijing), who is on the ground with Li Xiaofeng.
Image: Nels Frye
The 2010 Lacoste Collector’s Series is created by Li Xiaofeng. He wanted his favorite bracelet to be photographed alongside the invitation to the release event, which is this Friday in Paris.
While the shirts will inevitably reference his porcelain shard sculptures, the specific way in which this is accomplished on cloth remains arrived in Paris last night and were escorted to sumptuous, compact, famously to be seen.
Li Xiaofeng is both the first Chinese and the first fine artist to collaborate with Lacoste on this series, now heading into its fifth year.
His work should be familiar to anyone who has visited Beijing’s most frequented Boutique Hotel, the Opposite House, since two of his sculptures are displayed in the front of the lobby.
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Image: Nels Frye
Yesterday evening, I spoke with artist Li Xiaofeng, creator of the Lacoste Holiday Collector’s Series 2010, over a bottle of Chablis in the courtyard of the Hôtel Costes. Following are his comments on a number of subjects.
Fashion: This is not about fashion design. The print of the cotton polos is entirely based on the porcelain shard sculpture created for Lacoste.
Lacoste: The brand has a long history and does a good job of preserving its traditions.
Historical Precedents: Some Chinese might think of jade burial suits from the Han Dynasty when they see the porcelain shard sculptures.
The jade burial suits were thought to prevent decay of the body and they used thousands of pieces of jade, which were sewn together with gold thread. Hopefully no one will think of the burial suits when they see the cotton polos, which are based on sculptures using porcelain and not jade.
Wearability: The porcelain sculpture itself is made for someone slim. The samples of the Collector’s Series 2010 shirts are also cut quite slim so they will be worn by models. The designs are likely to appeal more to Westerners than Chinese though it is difficult to say. Chinese might find them to be too familiar.Commerce and Art: This project represents a very successful and innovative fusing of art and commerce. The artwork itself contains subtle commentary on this process.
East and West: This is a very interesting pairing of art that is strongly related to and constantly commenting on Chinese tradition and a Western multinational fashion brand.
Paris: Impressionism came as much from the colors of this city and its surroundings as from the minds of the artists. The city seems more culturally-inclined and less commercial than New York.
Hôtel Costes: The rooms are very small but there is great attention to detail. The prices at the restaurant are exorbitant.
Jacques Chirac: (The former Prime Minister and his wife were dining not far from us) He seems quite old.
Tomorrow I will be formally interviewing Li Xiaofeng about the artwork and shirts he has created for Lacoste. Hopefully I will also get a sneak peak at these items. Everything I find will be posted here.