Continuing our exploration of Rococo inspiration that started yesterday, let's look at a Sotheby's auction that went live today in New York.
Entitled "A Taste of Rococo" the auction featured a wide range of porcelain works, including English porcelain (from Chelsea, Worcester, Derby, and Longton Hall) as well as French and Meissen pieces, all hailing from an American private collection.
While not everyone likes the whimsical allure of Rococo, this collection included some very inspiring pieces.
One of them is a Meissen flower-encrusted reticulated vase, crafted around 1750. This elegant vase is characterized by an inverted baluster shape, a gracefully spreading foot, and a rim that flares outward. The defining feature of this vase is its intricate basket-weave body interwoven with delicate flowers, meticulously brought to life.
The reticulated design makes another appearance in this auction, in a set of three Worcester yellow-ground baskets created around 1765. The circular baskets are adorned on the exterior with charming flowerheads, while their interiors are painted with intricate floral motifs. The oval basket with two delicate handles, stands out with its three-dimensional flowers adorning its exterior, creating a floral tapestry.
In these porcelain treasures, there are two prevalent themes - the ornate reticulated structure and the delicate and intricate floral elements. Now, let's embark on a creative exercise and try to spot these two motifs within the urban landscape surrounding us (it doesn't matter where you are – a bustling capital or a small town).
In Taipei I spotted this school fence located in the Wanhua district. The fence stands out with its gracefully swirling green stems and vibrant, colorful flowers. It is definitely less ornate than the Rococo vases, but it sorts of fits with the two themes we are exploring today.
Fashion design students reading this post, keenly observe your surroundings and seek out these two motifs, considering how you can translate the reticulated flowery theme into a striking garment, an innovative knitwear design, or an alluring accessory (a bag is an obvious choice, but can you think about innovative materials or technological features that would allow us to see the flowers blooming, maybe?). So, unglue yourself from your smartphone screens and get out there - it's your turn to weave these Rococo inspirations into contemporary fashion.
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