There's just a week to Christmas and, if you're in doubt about a present for a family member or friend obsessed with fashion and can't afford to buy any exclusive luxury items but would still like to go for a unique and stylish present, check out the art prints from the Women's Wear Daily store.
The images, many of them in black and white, come from the WWD's archives, which means they aren't necessarily runway pics, but they have a reportage quality about them as they were used to illustrate pieces on Women's Wear Daily.
One example of this journalistic angle is a fun shot taken in April 1977 to celebrate Calvin Klein's 80-piece ready-to-wear collection. Photographed with Klein, models Iman, Janice Dickinson, Beverly Johnson, Alva Chinn, and Patti Hansen are portrayed at the designers' West 39th Street headquarters in New York City's Garment District, in an environment that hints at the industrial side of fashion rather than at the glamorous side.
There are also shoots that do not portray a specific fashion moment, but the unseen backstage of a grand event, such as the photograph of model Pat Cleveland eating a sandwich backstage during the Battle of Versailles fashion show that benefited the restoration of the Chateau of Versailles, on November 28, 1973.
Fans of futuristic fashion and gynoids will love the portrait (taken in Paris on March 26, 1980) of model Romney Russo in Issey Miyake's iconic bustier molded on a woman's torso that ended with a short peplum of fabric-like folds at the hips.
This piece from Miyake's Autumn/Winter 1980-81 collection also became a focal point of his Bodyworks" exhibition that toured internationally from 1983 to 1985.
In the image the model is also wearing a headpiece that makes her look a bit like a robot, and, those fashionistas who like the theme of the future will probably also like the photograph showing Ines de la Fressange in a Chloé S/S 1980 dress by Karl Lagerfeld with sculptural sleeves complete with an oversized smooth circular metal and Perspex necklace.
Talking about accessories, it is impossible not to get inspired by the triple rows of chunky necklaces donned by the model in a picture taken at the Plaza at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York on April 25, 1973. The model, also wearing a fishnet hairpiece, is wearing deisigns from Giorgio di Sant'Angelo's A/W 1973 collection.
If you prefer simplicity and minimal geometries, there's a pure white linen ensemble from Dutch-born designer Ronaldus Shamask's 1982 collection modelled by Margaret Donohoe in New York in July 1982. The simplicity of the ensemble betrays Shamask's inspirations – modular architectures, Japanese art, theatre, ritualistic dress and Russian Constructivism.
For those who prefer colour pictures, opt for models Kirat Bhinder and Mounia Orosemane as they stroll along the Seine River in Paris on November 15, 1978 wearing Yves Saint Laurent's S/S 1979 Prêt-à-Porter Collection, that featured designs characterised by French nautical themes in a modern color palette.
Last but not least, by opting for a fashion art print, there isn't the risk of breaking the bank as prices vary, going from $17 for a small-scale unframed print (and $21 for a large unframed print) to $476 for large-scale photos with frames. Who said it isn't possible to find an exclusive fashion-themed present under 20$?
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