Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave is a painter by training, but textile and costume are her muses. Working in collaboration with leading costume historians and young fashion designers, de Borchgrave crafts a world of splendor from the simplest rag paper. Painting and manipulating the paper, she forms trompe l’oeil masterpieces of elaborate dresses inspired by rich depictions in early European painting or by iconic costumes in museum collections around the world.
Drawing inspiration from textiles and costume, the Belgian artist has created works based on the Renaissance finery of the Medici family and gowns worn by Elizabeth I and Marie-Antoinette to the creations of the grand couturiers Frederick Worth, Paul Poiret, Christian Dior, and Coco Chanel.
Her work is awe-inspiring and you can check her website to view her vast portfolio.
Lucky you if you're planning a trip to San Francisco - go see Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave organized by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco on display through June 5, 2011. The 'exhibition preview' on the gallery web site is amazing.
