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Dressing Artfully

One of the most immediate—and personal—ways to live with art is to wear it.

What we choose to put on each day is more than functional. It’s expressive. It’s reflective. It’s a statement about what we stand for. Like collecting art, dressing artfully is a process: it begins with getting to know the maker, understanding the intention and process behind their work, and choosing what aligns with your values—what speaks to you intellectually and emotionally and aesthetically.

Just as I am interested in getting to know the artist, curator, or gallerist and their intentions when engaging with a work of art, I feel the same about clothing and jewelry. Knowing who made something—and why—adds depth and connection. It turns a beautiful object into a meaningful one. It turns fashion into style. And it turns style into art.

Here are a few ways I think about dressing artfully:

  • Choose the story, not the style.
    When a piece speaks to you, ask why. Listen to the answer and see what it says about your taste, but also your values.
  • Support craftsmanship and tradition.
    Clothes and jewelry made by hand or with heritage techniques carry something powerful: time, culture, skill. Choosing those pieces helps preserve art forms that might otherwise fade.
  • Make it your own.
    Even if you wear something from a known designer, find ways to turn it into a one-of-a-kind. Find vintage. Add a detail. Let someone else add a detail! Fashion is most compelling when it reflects individuality.
  • Curate with care.
    Your wardrobe needs to be you. Surround yourself with pieces you love, that feel good, and that say something about who you are and that others will say “that is so cool and that is so you!”

Dressing artfully isn’t about chasing trends or perfection. It’s about living with intention, beauty, and a sense of creativity.

Photography by Shawn Chavez

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