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1920s fashion illustration from post-revolutionary Russia

Discussion in 'PUBLIC Vintage Chatter - Anything and everything' started by Retro Ruth, May 12, 2009.

  1. Retro Ruth

    Retro Ruth VFG Member Staff Member

    I just went to an art exhibition "Defining Constructivism: Rodchenko and Popova" at Tate Modern in London. An exhibition looking at the Constructivist art movement through the work of two of Russia's most influential avant-garde artists, Alexandr Rodchenko and Liubov Popova.

    What surprised me was to find some fashion illustration in the show, and I thought I'd share it. I find them rather lovely, clean and simple lines. I love fashion illustration from the 20s, and it was fascinating to see it from just after the 1917 Revolution in Russia.

    Design for a Window Display, 1924, Liubov Popova
    Cut-and-pasted printed papers, ink, and gouache on paper
    [​IMG]

    Dress design, 1923-24, Liubov Popova
    ink and watercolour on paper
    [​IMG]

    Dress design, 1923-24, Liubov Popova
    ink and watercolour on paper
    [​IMG]

    Dress design, 1923-24, Liubov Popova
    ink on paper
    [​IMG]

    Some fabrics:

    Fabric Design, 1923-24, Liubov Popova
    Goache on paper
    [​IMG]

    Fabric Design, 1923-24, Liubov Popova
    Goache on paper
    [​IMG]


    This one perhaps more what you'd expect from post-revolution Russia:

    Alesandra Rodchenko, Design for Working Clothes, 1922
    Crayon and ink on paper
    [​IMG]

    And I'm finishing on my favourite:

    Dress design, 1923-24, Liubov Popova
    ink and watercolour on paper
    [​IMG]

    If you like you can read more about the exhibition here:

    http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/rodchenkopopova/

    Ruth
     
  2. Linn

    Linn Super Moderator Staff Member VFG Past President

    Ruth -

    This is fabulous!!! It really makes you stop and think about how international fashion is!

    Thank you so much for sharing this. I would love to see this exhibit and just did a search to see where it is going next. I'm afraid I'm out of luck. It will be going to Greece and then to Spain next. Unfortunatley all a bit far from Honolulu!

    Linn
     
  3. MyVintageCocktail

    MyVintageCocktail VFG Member

    These are fabulous--thanks for sharing! One of the things that amazes me is how "contemporary" some of the fabric designs look. More proof that so much of fashion takes its inspiration from the past....
     
  4. thevintagebungalow

    thevintagebungalow VFG Member

    What an interesting exhibition! Thanks for sharing the fashion art!!
     
  5. joules

    joules VFG Member

    This is like Fashion Godhead to me! It was like a religious experience, the first time I encountered the work of these artists, and it's always great to see them. Thank you for posting the beautiful images.
     
  6. cactusandcattails

    cactusandcattails VFG Member VFG Past President

    Those are fabulous Ruth, thank you!

    You can see the emergence of the art deco influence in many of the pieces.
     
  7. Retro Ruth

    Retro Ruth VFG Member Staff Member

    I am so glad you all enjoy them as much as I do

    @joules - I know just what you mean!

    I thought this too - the geometric way the dresses are drawn is very Art Deco.

    Ruth
     
  8. loueybaton

    loueybaton Registered Guest

    You should check out a .
     
  9. Rue_de_la_Paix

    Rue_de_la_Paix VFG Member

    Ruth,

    Thank you so much for sharing this, I will check it out further later tonight. It is so valuable to see the fashion designers and textile designers who stayed behind in Russia after the revolution, as so many fled the country or were killed or imprisoned if they were upper class, etc. Really wonderful to see!
     
  10. poppysvintageclothing

    poppysvintageclothing VFG Board Member Staff Member VFG Past President

    Thanks for sharing these with us, Ruth. I love the working clothes drawing!
     
  11. Linn

    Linn Super Moderator Staff Member VFG Past President

    This thread is 3 years old .... I just noticed that the post that bumped it up has (soon to be had) a link in it.... Still great to revisit these drawings though!

    Linn
     
  12. Retro Ruth

    Retro Ruth VFG Member Staff Member

    Yes this was one of my early posts on this board - takes me back!

    Funnily enough I was just thinking about these images yesterday, so I'm glad to see them again too!
     

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