It’s James Bond’s 50th anniversary. There is nothing left to add to his proverbial elegance as a lot has already been written in the past fifty years, I could run the risk of repeating someone else’s comment. Although everyone likes the character and despite all Daniel Craig’s efforts to emulate James Bond’s famous aplomb, the truth is that through all of those years Agent 007 has always been devoted to conformism -he’s a proper english after all- from Sean Connery to Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Timothy Dalton. Even George Lazenby in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” had to wear the same old tuxedo a part from that one scene where he’s wearing a kilt. Nothing to object to: black saves everyone, and so does a tuxedo. However, having followed the saga, I have always found more interesting the “bad guys” looks. The most stylish ones have been Christopher Walken (A View to a Kill, 1985) and Mads Mikkelsenche in Casino Royale (2006) which made his appearance clad in a reassuring, yet original monochrome ton sur ton brown suit. I’m obviously expecting a lot from the next James Bond’s enemy: Javier Barden. We shall see.

Tecnologic accessories are being involved and actually used to create different forms of art, from filmmaking to fashion. Everyone remembers some scenes from 2001 Space Oddysseyand also the more recent Rick Gentry’s artworks which have been realized with floppy discs. There are many different cases of digital contamination even in fashion, (one among many the electronic circuit inspired prints by Christopher Kane). It’s even more surprising when a brand founded in 1837, it’s experimenting with this kind of creativity on the most traditional of man accessories: the tie. 8 Ties is a project the maison Hermes has commissioned to the french artist with mexican roots Miguel Chevalier, which uses computers as his main media of expression, (exhibition till october 27, Palazzo Morando, Milan).The installation, (at the bottom) has been realized so that each one of the patterns created by the artist becomes animated by the viewer’s movements, creating a special soundtrack. A second artwork, shows the patterns in addition to the french philosopher Christine Buci-Glucksmann’s words. The harmony in the classicism of Chevalier’s patterns, it’s incredible. It makes us see how pois and lines are really coming from a usb key and electric cables.

Apre a Palazzo Morando a Milano l’installazione virtuale ispirata alle stampe della capsule collection di Hermès “8 Ties“. Un progetto voluto dalla maison francese per presentare la nuova capsule di otto cravatte, la cui particolarità è costituita dalla stampa: i disegni infatti, apparentemente classici, prendono in realtà ispirazione da icone tecnologiche, che diventano talvolta veri e propri pattern stampati all over. Interruttori, chiavette USB, cavetti elettrici, che si legano all’immaginario dell’artista Miguel Chevalier, pioniere dell’arte virtuale e digitale, chiamato a celebrare la collezione attraverso due video installazioni interattive.

Foto di Andrea Serafini

“8 Ties”
In mostra a Milano dal 17 al 27 ottobre 2012
Palazzo Morando, via Sant’Andrea 6
Orari di apertura: dalle ore 10.00 alle ore 19.00.
Ingresso libero

Il servizio era ispirato a Carla Accardi e alle sue opere. Questa foto in particolare, si riferiva ad un ritratto fotografico dell’artista, nel quale era stata immortalata – in bianco e nero – con una scia luminosa realizzata con una luce al neon. Lo scatto è di Michael Woolley, la giacca di Etro e la cravatta in maglia di Hermès. The fashion shooting was inspired by Carla Accardi and her works. This picture, referred to a portrait of the artist which was immortalized – black and white – with a trail of light made with a neon. This shot is by Michael Woolley, Etro jacket and knitted tie Hermès.

Classicismo firmato da stilisti di moda: le boutique dei top designer, infatti, non vendono solo i pezzi più fashion e questo total look ne è la prova. Il trench-coat è di Prada, l’abito di Dolce&Gabbana e la cravatta di Hermès. La foto di Toni Thorimbert è tratta da Max dicembre 2010.

Classicism signed by fashion designers: boutiques of top designers, in fact, do not just sell the pieces most fashionable and this total look proves it. The trench coat is from Prada, Dolce & Gabbana dress and Hermès tie. The picture is from Max Magazine, December 2010, ph. Toni Thorimbert.