It’s not unusual for fashion designers today to welcome artists into their studio and build an ongoing relationship. Raf Simons, the former creative director at Dior, has collaborated with the American artist Sterling Ruby for many years. “The garments look like canvases, showcasing Ruby’s paint splatters and intricate designs,” says Curtis.

The buzz from a well-timed collaboration can benefit designer and artist alike, but the best partnerships are grounded in shared values, Curtis adds. “For example, Stella McCartney, who has long been an advocate for sustainable fashion, has frequently collaborated with artist Olafur Eliasson, whose work often explores nature, climate change and sustainability. These collaborations have raised awareness about fashion’s environmental footprint, using art to amplify the conversation on sustainability.”

In a similar way Trenery’s choice of art for its spring campaign is telling: the four sculptures are quietly confident and measured in their balance of hard materials and soft forms, underscoring the brand’s celebration of timeless style that’s lived lightly.

A two-way street

For artists, working with fashion designers can be equally fertile territory, says Damian Madden, a luxury and brand consultant and co-owner of contemporary Sydney art gallery A.SINGLE.PIECE.

“Working with artists from around the world has taught me that these days, message is more important than medium. We live in a world where context has become a luxury and often art is encountered in a way where it is separated from much of the context that would have traditionally surrounded it,” he explains. “Artists have had to evolve their approach in terms of their medium of choice, maintaining a fluidity in order to convey the message they are trying to convey.”

Collaborating with creatives in different fields opens up new ways for artists to express themselves. “It can also help drive inspiration back into their more traditional practice by giving them insights into the processes and technologies of other mediums.”

Madden adds that this is part of a bigger shift in the way art is viewed, not simply as the piece itself, but as a combination of factors that includes the artist’s message and the viewer’s own life experience, which overlays their interpretation. “Everyone is going to take something different away from their interaction with a work of art,” he says. It’s all part of the conversation.

To learn more about Trenery’s latest collection, visit https://www.trenery.com.au/editorials-field-of-vision/