The current exhibit "Pulp Fashion" at S.F.'s Legion of Honor is beautifully executed and laid out. All the costumes are created out of paper by the artist Isabelle de Borchgrave and her minions. For info and more photos of the garments, as well as some of Isabelle working, click here.
Isabelle hand-makes the paper, manipulates the pulp, stretching, crinkling and puckering. And then she tears, sews, wrinkles, folds and pleats. If you look closely you can even find the inner structures of cardboard boxes - as in one of the intricate lace collars. Spotted some shredded packing materials in there as well. Multitudes of textures abound- delicate rice papers for gauze veils and petticoats, shiny satin-like papers and matte hued thicker papers. She paints detailed patterns and backgrounds, paying historical homage to the likes of the Medici family, Coco Chanel and Marie-Antoinette. From buttons to bows, beads to lace, corsets to belts (even the coolest little Aladdin-like slippers) no detail was left out. Many of the mannequins were also layered in paper bringing a tactile uniformity to the displays. Every outfit is an incredible assemblage, really makes one wonder just how many hours it took to complete this huge collection.
Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave,
February 5, 2011 - June 5, 2011
