Few things remain as timelessly chic as Kate Moss. Representing the best that fashion has to offer—style, charisma, drama, and top-notch cheekbones—Moss is an emblem of seemingly untouchable cool. Her face has graced runways and campaigns for everyone from Calvin Klein and Alexander McQueen to Dior and Supreme. And although she is best known for being photographed, a new exhibition at SHOWstudio in London transforms the model’s iconic runway moments into evocative paintings and illustrations by well-known artists. Organized by renowned photographer Nick Knight, Moving Kate is a collection of 30 different artworks interpreting Moss’s extensive body of work and celebrating her longstanding creative partnership with SHOWstudio.
Knight first asked Moss to choose her favorite runway moments from her illustrious, decades-long fashion career. In an interview with i-D, Knight then says he commissioned “30 of the world’s best fashion illustrators to draw Kate’s most iconic catwalk looks.” The resulting exhibition, which interprets looks by John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, and Louis Vuitton, among others, features pieces by visual artists like Unskilled Worker, Gill Button, Jenifer Corker and Kelly Beeman. Moving Kate also includes video and GIFs of Moss made by Knight himself.
Videos by VICE
Drawing of Kate Moss for Matthew Williamson S/S ’98 by Kelly Beeman. Photo courtesy of SHOWstudio.
After Moss made her selections, Button tells Creators that “Nick Knight then carefully selected which artist would be best suited to paint each look. We are all artists that have worked with SHOWstudio, so Nick is familiar with our different approaches, and I think he made really smart pairings.” Button was assigned a floral ensemble Moss sported for Louis Vuitton’s A/W 2013 show, which became a 16×12″ oil on canvas. The rigidity of Moss’ cropped black hair in the look accentuates Moss’s ironclad bone structure, and “even though the Louis Vuitton dress is absolutely beautiful,” Button says the hairstyle is “the most fascinating aspect of this look; [it is] the total antithesis of Kate’s sun-kissed locks.”
The diversity of the looks assigned and the resulting artworks is emblematic of the exhibition title, as Moss has moved through nearly every memorable era, look, and moment defining contemporary fashion. “Each artist seems to have been given a look that very much suits their own style,” artist Helen Bullock observes. Bullock was assigned a look Moss wore in a 1996 Versace show, oftentimes considered one of Moss’s most iconic looks. “I really enjoyed the simplicity of the look that I was allocated. When responding to it, I tried to get back to my original illustration style, more free than of late.” As an artist, Bullock works with a variety of materials, including acrylic paint, ink, and water-soluble crayons. “Kate is iconic and an image I grew up with, so it was great to be involved,” Bullock adds.
Drawing of Kate Moss for John Galliano S/S ’93 by Rob Phillips. Photo courtesy of SHOWstudio.
Other looks featured in the exhibition include a number of John Galliano designs, like a coquettish lingerie look from S/S 1991, illustrated by Kukula in her ethereal, kittenish style, as well as a spunkier look from S/S 1993, which was drawn by Rob Phillips. When Moss attended the exhibit herself, she felt the same nostalgia many of us experience when reminiscing on the ’90s. “It was such a pleasure to have the chance to look back on the incredible clothes I have worn on the catwalks, and to see how these have inspired SHOWstudio’s amazing selection of fashion illustrators,” says Moss. “It brings back many memories and feels like a fitting tribute to the wonderful designers I have worked with.” Sure, the looks are pristine and their interpretations are beautifully unique, but we all know the ultimate tribute being paid is to Moss. And we are totally here for it.
Drawing of Kate Moss for Alexander McQueen Holographic Runway Show in 2006 by Laura Laine. Photo courtesy of SHOWstudio.
Drawing of Kate Moss for in Christian Dior ’97-’98 by Velwyn Yossy. Photo courtesy of SHOWstudio.
Illustration of Kate Moss for Versace 1996 show by Helen Bullock. Photo courtesy of SHOWstudio.
Painting of Kate Moss for Louis Vuitton S/S ’13 by Gill Button. Photo courtesy of SHOWstudio.
Drawing of Kate Moss for John Galliano A/W ’94 by Rei Nadal. Photo courtesy of SHOWstudio.
Drawing of Kate Moss for John Galliano S/S ’91 by Kukula. Photo courtesy of SHOWstudio.
Moving Kate is on display at London’s SHOWstudio through April 20, and each work featured in the show is for sale.
Related:
If I Can Draw It, You Can Shoot It: Inside Nick Knight’s #StyleShootDraw
See Unseen Alexander McQueen Footage in a Stunning Tribute
Fashion Platform SHOWstudio Explores The Tribal Aspect of Punk Using 3D Modelling
