CITYist

For many, fashion is wearable art. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear that Cynthia Rowley’s latest collection was featured in an exhibit at New York’s Gagosian Gallery. And no, this wasn’t merely Rowley’s ego talking. “It’s not art…it’s a concept,” the designer was quick to explain. And she’d be right: the installation (which ended last week) was in fact a commentary on the immediacy of fashion and the push for designers to ready their lines for retail at faster and faster rates. (And perhaps on the staunch competition from “disposable” clothing stores like H&M and Zara who churn out copies in a New York minute.) The designs, or, in fact, photographic reproductions of them, premiered at the Gagosian a mere three hours after gliding down the runway. But instead of gazing at the images on Style.com, Cynthia Rowley fans had the chance to buy the photos straight on the garment—and still do, through the Gagosian Shop.

The 15 wearable reproductions were modeled after art prints and produced in batches of 100. Of course, you have to sew them yourself—also on sale is a “Cynthia Rowley for Gagosian” label and signature sewing kit—but we’d say that’s a fair price to pay.