The Interconnectivity of Fashion and Art
North London Explains The Importance of Creating With Intent.
Whenever you walk into an art museum, which pieces catch your eye first? Could it be the quaint expressions of nature by Claude Monet? Or perhaps the chaotic abstract expressionism of Jackson Pollock? As soon as you lay eyes on the delicate strokes of each piece, it’s hard not to be hit with inspiration and admiration. And while art is certainly subjective to the eyes of the beholder, there is no denying this – art is a gift to us. Like the work of the some of the greatest artists of our time, clothing has this effect – to inspire. It holds a story, it carries us to another dimension, it brings us emotion – and at the perfect intersection of design and thought, it becomes art.
Fashion is art – it can be delicate and yet chaotic. That said, like art, fashion can be ripped off, made cheap, lose it’s worth. This is what we see when we look at the greed of the fast fashion industry. When the love of art turns into a search for money and greed, we see it begin to chip at its morals. Slowly but surely, the inspiration that once held each piece together becomes diluted into a commodity made in excess. With no other purpose but to follow a trend – individualism is lost and with that, comes the sacrifice of the environment and the people of the planet. From sweatshops to toxic chemicals, the beauty and interconnectivity of art and fashion becomes bleak.
But don’t worry, there is a light at the end of this tunnel. The future can be beautiful – full of art and fashion that inspires. But it’s important that we do it right – without sacrificing our morals for economic gain… North London Construction aka N.L.C. is a remarkable example of what it’s like to do it right. A creative studio based in London, their focus is on building a range of pieces that embody their philosophies through the use of art, design and damn good fabrics.
Rob and Lauren made North London Construction a reality in 2019 through the creation of a single garment, their 100% silk ‘Fisherman Trousers. Their first collection is made up of four distinct hand-painted designs. Each design embodies a story of introspection and pays homage to inspiration and curiosity. The two came together after they had both spent a number of years building their careers. Lauren in print design at Liberty - the iconic London print house - and Rob in the tech industry. But they both had aspirations of starting something for themselves. “Following many after work conversations in the kitchen of the North London flat we share, over glasses of wine and a mutual lack of satisfaction in our jobs, we realized the things we could individually bring to the table complimented each other perfectly. And this is what led us to find N.L.C.” Their first collection was inspired the Northern Renaissance - Still Life compositions, vanitas and transience.
At the heart of their brand, is creative expression, pride in quality and a statement in creating pieces deliberately and with intent. And they’ve done exactly that with their fisherman trousers. They have created an art form in itself – mentioning that through connection art can be understood and truly seen. Those who feel a connection with their brand will be able to make mindful buying choices. By being sincere and transparent with what they design they are empowering their customers to follow that mindful moral. “By spending time developing the pattern for the Fisherman Trousers we have ensured that there is very minimal fabric wastage, and what small amount of offcuts there are, are turned into scarves that we include in each order as a little thank you for everyone who supports small brands! Our garments are now made in small batches to match demand, following a few months of pre-orders, so we will never over produce. The fabric we use is 100% silk twill, all natural fibers that flow and drape in the most beautiful way. And of course, our packaging is recyclable.” Lauren tells HOKU.
The dynamic duo has ensured that each garment passes through as few hands as possible – emphasizing the concept of being mindful and intentional. That is the direction consumers should be in – buying with intention and knowing where your products are coming from. As consumers, this is how we become open-minded, by putting more thought into our purchasing decisions. If we started to look at fashion as more than just a mere trend-setting component, we realize that it connects us and give us the ability of individuality. As you become one with wearable art that transcends with you, you allow yourself to feel confident in anything you purchase.
The beauty of art and fashion is constantly changing, but one thing remains true is that there is more value and beauty in garments done with purpose. We are in need of becoming more open to this idea. And as we begin to realize the art and complexity of making a clothing purchase, we will understand that our power to connect and demand is how change is made possible. Intent is key. Surround yourself with art in any form – whether it be in fashion, food, travel – and you will see the power of intent.
