Acne Studios Resort 2016
Photo: Acne Studios

Acne Studios presented its latest resort collection, and it’s inspired by the work of two artists, Mario Schifano and Albert Gleizes—a challenging combination with not unpleasing results.

The Swedish fashion house, as well as being the clothing of choice for the upwardly mobile creative class, has also always had involvement in art. From publishing the influential Acne Paper—a recent issue of which featured Richard Serra on the cover—to artist collaborations with the likes of Hilma af Klint, the brand often draws inspiration from the visual arts.

Acne Studios Resort 2016
Photo: Acne Studios

Creative director and co-founder Jonny Johansson discovered the work of post modern Italian artist Mario Schifano and Cubist and Abstract painter Albert Gleizes through reading Marella Agnelli: The Last Swan, a book about the Italian socialite, art collector, and style icon.

Albert Gleizes On a Sailboat (unknown)
Photo: WikiArt

Both of these, very different, artists were involved in hugely influential art movements, but are lesser known than their contemporaries in the context of art history.

The successful marrying of the two aesthetics is no small achievement as they don’t share a time, place, or vision.

Mario Schifano New York  (1965)
Photo: settemuse.it

Acne Studios Resort 2016
Photo: Acne Studios

“It was easier to sketch than produce,” said Johansson when presenting the collection.

Schifano was a hedonistic pop artist who hung out with the Rolling Stones at the height of his career. As well as working with traditional pop art iconography, he also worked with form and layering. Within the collection you can see the influence of the artist’s love of translucent layers and juxtaposing patterns.

Mario Schifano Tutte Stelle and Particulare Dell’Oasi (unkown)
Photo: Sothebys

Acne Studios Resort 2016
Photo: Acne Studios

The influence of Gleizes can be seen in the collection’s structured outerwear which, although using one color, also employs different textures to create contrast.

Acne Studios Resort 2016
Photo: Acne Studios

Acne Studios Resort 2016
Photo: Acne Studios

The Cubist influences can also be seen in the angular, square cuts which echo the art movement’s staccatoed forms, while some outfits combine this element with the bright patterns and motifs found in Schifano’s work.