Fashion Brief
New York is, according to some, the most stylish city in the world, and the arty set are known for their fashion sense. As Frieze art fair opens, we ask: are the Manhattan art crowd as well dressed as everybody thinks, or is it a myth? Dressed in our favourite T-shirt and trainers, we asked them how best to dress for an art fair opening.
Vered, 75, ex-gallery owner
What are you wearing?
“This is a style that I always wear. Always black. I don’t like today’s style: don’t like what they sell, don’t like that everyone’s dressed the same. You have a T-shirt and you have jeans. I think that there’s art in dressing, and it’s a part of how you want to present yourself, and most people suck. I think it’s wonderful to wear the garments that are done well, that have something to say. It is an art form, and it should be taken as such. If somebody is interested in art, I would assume that they would have an interest in special jewellery, in special clothing; just special life.”
Robert, 80, retired fashion photographer
What are you wearing?
“I dress mostly in black, only because I don’t want to make decisions any more. I spent a whole lifetime making decisions, now I don’t want to do that any longer.”
Pablo, 57, art dealer
How should one dress for the opening of an art fair?
“One should dress up a little bit, because everyone is doing their best to make a beautiful show. I don’t like it when I see people in high white socks and sneakers at shows. But, you know, that’s how Americans dress. The English don’t dress like this.”
Some of them do
“Yeah but it’s not my style. I couldn’t do it. I don’t even have jeans. I’m not crazy about sneakers, but you’re the journalist. This is America, everyone does what they want; in Europe it’s completely different. People can do what they want, I just won’t look at them.”
It is often said that the New York art crowd are very well dressed. Is that true?
“I think probably the Parisians are dressed better, and maybe the Germans – the women, not the men. There are well-dressed people, but can you point one out to me, standing here, except my wife? Of course, there are a couple of people but, overall, I don’t think Americans are well dressed at all.”
Saada, 27, event curator, and Awol Erizku, 26, artist
How should one dress for the opening of an art fair?
Awol: “I recommend all black at openings because you want to stand away from the art. Just stay neutral, and don’t try to blend in with the work.”
Is there anything that should be avoided?
Awol: “Neon! Stay away from neon.”
Christopher, 54, writer, singer and TV host
How should one dress for the opening of an art fair?
“For me, dressing up is a lot of fun. It puts a smile on my face, and it tends to put a smile on a lot of other faces, too. It puts me in a cheerful mood and reflects my eagerness and joy at seeing all this extraordinary work, I guess. It’s so easy to dress imaginatively, and so much more fun, so why not do it?”
Cyril, 37, artist
How should one dress for the opening of an art fair?
“My advice would be to go under the radar, so you can look at the art and don’t have to speak with people. Obviously that’s not what I’m doing.”
It is often said that the New York art crowd are very well dressed, is that true?
“It’s true, actually, that in New York I find people extremely chic at the art fairs. But New York fashion is very chic, and it just doesn’t appeal to me, that Sex and the City sort of look. I like more European fashion. Sometimes at art fairs, people are more chic than the fashion crowd – if that’s possible. You just see a lot of everything, from the craziest cuckoos to the most subtle.”
Emma, 33, gallery director
What are you wearing?
“I am wearing a pair of tailor-made shorts that I have about 10 pairs of. They’re from River Island and they’re perfect so I’ve had them tailor made in China, Turkey and England, and now I have 10 pairs. I wear them every single day. Recently, women have started to wear one outfit, which is something that men were allowed to do but women weren’t really allowed to do; I totally agree with that, that’s my school of thought.”
It is often said that the New York art crowd are very well dressed, is that true?
“They’re not as well dressed as the fashion crowd – I would say – but maybe a bit better dressed than the science crowd? I think New Yorkers in general are very well dressed.”
Rai, 41, artist, and Cameron, 58, art dealer
How should one dress for the opening of an art fair?
Cameron: “Dress to impress!”
Is it important to look like an artwork yourself?
Rai: “Everything you do is a piece of art. How you dress is a piece of art, how you live, how you cook; you don’t need to mimic a piece of art.”
Veronica, 29, producer
How should one dress for the opening of an art fair?
“I think people should wear something appropriate to spectator sport. So, for example, I have this great tennis-type visor, which gives a bit of pomp and formality to the thing, even though there’s no sun in here. All the lights, the bright lights … you need something to shade your face.”
Robert, collector and president of an art foundation
What are you wearing?
“This is a Liberty print, and it’s a pair of pyjamas made by a company called Sleepy Jones.”
How should one dress for the opening of an art fair?
“However they feel most comfortable. They shouldn’t dress to impress other people. What they should do is find a style that’s comfortable for themselves, and dress accordingly.”
It is often said that the New York art crowd are very well-dressed, is that true?
“I think it’s a myth. Look around!”
