It’s just days away until Art Basel Hong Kong 2018 (29–31 March 2018), the world’s biggest contemporary art fair which hits Hong Kong for the sixth year running. Like previous years, we’re looking forward to an extensive range of must-see artworks, exclusive after-parties, VIP lounges and, along with it, a diverse crowd of artistic fashion goers.
Needless to say, dressing for one of the year’s biggest art shows is no easy task, but don’t worry, because we’re here to help. To get you all prepared, we’ve looked to some of our favourite art-inspired runway collections for the Spring/Summer 2018 season, and compiled a quick style guide on what to wear to Art Basel 2018, so you can dress the part as you make your way around all the creative art installations, exhibits and parties.
(Main image credit: Dior’s SS18 campaign)
Look 1
Miuccia Prada honoured female power in her latest collection by inserting illustrations by female cartoonists and manga artists onto shirts, dresses and jackets, all topped with a military vibe. Here, we’ve chosen one of the poplin shirts and added to it a pop art spin with a striped satin skirt in contrasting colours, bold earrings, striking white boots and a leather belt bag with biker aesthetics for an elegant yet strong and independent flair.
Get the look: Prada printed cotton poplin shirt / Fendi striped satin wrap midi skirt / Miu Miu Matelassé leather belt bag / Alexandre Birman Kittie leather ankle boots / Miu Miu silver-tone, Plexiglas and crystal clip earrings
Look 2
“Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?” For Dior’s SS18 collection, Maria Grazia Chiuri referenced art critic Linda Nochlin’s 1971 essay, questioning how museums and the media were purposely keeping good female artists down. She then honoured French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle’s work by channeling her whimsical graphics throughout the collection.
To achieve this look, opt for a pair of wide leg jeans and slingback pumps with geometric heels for a ’70s artistic flair, then highlight it with a beret — a popular artist’s signature — before finishing up with a Lady Dior bag from Dior’s SS18 collection featuring a print by Niki de Saint Phalle.
Get the look: Helmut Lang wool and silk-blend turtleneck sweater / Isabel Marent Étoile Cabrio cropped high-rise wide-leg jeans / Maison Michel Bonnie rabbit-felt beret / Dior Lady Dior bag in off-white calfskin with textured Niki de Saint Phalle print / Jacquemus Sao suede slingback pumps
Look 3
It’s no news that Raf Simons, Calvin Klein’s creative director, is a lover of the arts. For his SS18 collection for the brand, Simons has taken inspiration from the darker side of classic Americana, and decorated shift dresses and tank tops with printed images from Andy Warhol’s silkscreen painting Tunafish Disaster (1963) as well as a portrait of Sandra Brant, who was shot by Warhol in 1971.
Get this look by donning the Calvin Kleins’ SS18 tank top with a black and white skirt, topped with a pair of fishnet sock boots for extra visual interest. Wrap it up with a cropped vinyl jacket for a slight pop of textured colour and an added modern art vibe.
Get the look: CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC x Andy Warhol Foundation printed ribbed stretch-cotton jersey tank / 3.1 Phillip Lim cropped vinyl jacket / Tibi Lucci wrap-effect striped twill midi skirt / Alexander Wang Caden suede and leather-trimmed fishnet sock boots
Cindie Chan
Style Editor
Fashion blogger turned editor, Cindie has spent over seven years covering all things stylish in the digital world. When she’s not busy poring over the latest covetable releases or attending the most talked-about fashion events in town, you’ll find her enjoying some precious downtime with her newborn son and sweet dog Rosy.
