Threading creativity: 6 artists who use fashion to create unexpected art
Is fashion art? For some, this is a contentious question. What isn’t up for debate, however, is the symbiotic relationship between the two creative fields. Throughout history, each medium of expression has fed the other as a source of inspiration.
Take Elsa Schiaparelli’s famed Lobster Dress. Paving the way for surrealist fashion, the gown from 1937 depicts a graphic crustacean by legendary Spanish artist Salvador Dalí. Spanning more than two decades, Louis Vuitton and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami’s partnership serves as another shining example of a trailblazing artist and fashion collaboration. This pivotal link between fashion and art was also spotlighted by Loewe, who under the leadership of Jonathan Anderson launched the Loewe Crafted World exhibition in Shanghai in March 2024, pairing the Spanish house’s archives with curated artworks.
Meanwhile, a new generation of artists are reversing the equation by deconstructing and reimagining fashion through their respective creative mediums. From food sculptures that recreate luxury accessories to the use of AI to envision dynamic fashion campaigns, these six artists are channelling their love for fashion in surprising ways.
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Gab Bois
Montreal-based artist Gab Bois creates surrealist sculptures that blur the boundaries between everyday objects and fashion. Her meticulously composed creations transform food, mundane items and plants into the form of everyday fashion pieces—fruit loops become a bralette and earrings; cucumbers morph into sunglasses; and soap suds change to embellished heels.
Sharing her otherworldly creations on Instagram, her fashion forward optical illusions have resulted in collaborations with high-profile fashion brands such as Marc Jacobs, Nike, Balenciaga and Valentino.
Nicole McLaughlin
Nicole McLaughlin has pioneered a distinctive approach to sustainable art by transforming discarded fashion items and consumer packaging into functional, wearable sculptures. A former graphic designer at Reebok, McLaughlin has repurposed Puma goalie gloves into a bomber jacket, integrated working portable mini fans into a bralette and collaged packets of Haribo gummies to create a pair of shorts (and eaten the candy out of them too).
Each piece is a blend of fun and out-of-the-box utility, highlighting the unique aspect of function as being both aesthetic and practical. Along with Hermès, McLaughlin has partnered up with Puma, Crocs and Carhartt to breath new life into their designs through her surreal upcycling.
Annie Choi
Annie Choi, otherwise known as Anchoponcho on Instagram, is an animation artist who has amassed more than 500 thousand followers for her anime-style digital creations. Her detailed visuals put a surreal spin on everyday experiences. For example, one of her viral animations depicts the act of putting on a pair of loafers. But rather than the expected slip-on shoes, Choi details a literal loaf of bread that magically transforms into the wardrobe essential.
It is no wonder that Choi’s immersive animations have piqued the interest of various brands. Along with Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Helmut Lang, the artist also got to put her own spin on the highly acclaimed Loewe x Studio Ghibli collaboration.
Angelica Hicks
Have you ever dreamt of wearing a celebrity red carpet look? What about trying on an outfit that you saw from a fashion campaign? Artist Angelica Hicks demonstrates that you can use everyday house objects to do just that.
Take Jennie’s flowing baby blue caped look from the Chanel spring-summer 2025 couture show. Instead of emptying her pockets, Hicks turned to mosquito nets for the cape as well as Swiffer Dusters refills to recreate the chiffon ruffles and feather details. Accessories are also reimagined in unexpected ways: a cheese string subs in for Jennie’s opulent ring whereas a roll of tape gives the illusion of her shoes.
Sibatable
There are a myriad of pasta shapes but perhaps none as creative as those envisioned by South Korean food content creator Sibatable. From MCM’s Under the Sea Toni shopper bag to On Running shoes, there are no limits to what the talented foodie can create from egg, flour, olive oil and food colouring.
Not down for pasta? Luckily, Sibatable has also depicted a suit made from bok choy, Matin Kim sweaters in cookie form as well as shitake mushrooms imprinted with the emblematic Louis Vuitton logo to delight both the fashion lover and foodie within.
Sybille de Saint Louvent
AI applications in fashion is a hot topic on everyone’s minds. Ahead of the pack is independent creative director Sybille de Saint Louvent who is pushing the frontiers on how this emerging technology can be used to create fashion images.
Using a mix of applications such as Midjourney and Photoshop, the creative envisions imaginary AI campaigns for an array of high fashion brands such as Prada, Loewe, Bottega Veneta and Gucci. Along with hyperrealistic models, his clean and minimalist visuals also features elaborate sets and life-like distant landscapes.
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