ArtYourJourney spectacle: The Intersection of Fashion, Art, and Empowerment by Sergey KIR x EXTEASY Lingerie team

In a world where fashion is often perceived as a realm of dreams, brimming with aspirations, beauty, glamor, and the intricate tapestry of human emotions, it’s crucial to remember that it’s also an industry. An industry with its vast machinery of industrial production, sprawling factories, meticulous management, and innovative approaches to design.

Yet, in today’s landscape, it has, in some ways, grown rigid, reminiscent of the Academy of Fine Arts in 19th-century Paris, with its stringent standards of content and style, as well as the way a fashion show is presented and how models display the designs( in a typical fashion show models appear one after another, then everyone comes together, and it happens over and over again)

This is the very stage where ArtYourJourney art exhibition and a fashion show by a collaborative team of a Ukrainian born American artist Sergey  KIR and a Ukrainian women owned lingerie brand Exteasy Lingerie made its grand entrance at the Runway 7 Fashion show during NYFW F2023 on September 7, 2023, at 7:00 pm.

Drawing profound inspiration from the rich tapestry of art history, particularly the rebellious art movements like Impressionism, Expressionism, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau, “ArtYourJourney” show/art exhibition boldly shattered the chains of conventional norms of a typical fashion shows.

In a contemporary echo of artists like Renoir, Seurat, Monet, and their audacious break from established academies in the mid-19th century that gave rise to the new forms and styles of Modern and Contemporary art, the ArtYourJourney show shattered the expected approach, and materialized as a trailblazer in the world of Fashion and Art.

But the display by Sergey KIR x Exteasy Lingerie team was not just a beautiful show; it was a resounding call that reverberated throughout the echelons of the global fashion industry. It sounded a call to the titans of fashion houses, the visionary editors of fashion magazines, the very custodians of style, akin to the modern-day Anna Wintours: embrace creativity, cultivate eclectic intellectualism, and forge new pathways by drawing inspiration from uncharted sectors, such as Art and Finance.

The idealist Dream of fashion that is being sold to all the fashion lovers and fans, deserves a more vibrant and exhilarating presentation, and ArtYourJourney paved the way for precisely that.

Akin to a ripple in a vast ocean, promising to reshape the way we perceive and experience fashion and art KIR x EXTEASY collaborative effort of ArtYourJourney heralded at the inception of a global trend that will reverberate through the pages of history in both art and fashion, because of its audacity to defy convention.

But ARTYourJourney was not just a pretty display, as it transcended mere aesthetics; it delved into the heart of a pressing issue—the objectification of women in a modern day social media society, and it suggested  a solution against the painful trait that every women most likely experienced in their lifetime. 

By seamlessly weaving art into the fabric of life and fashion, the show empowered women to reclaim their narratives, to confront and challenge the norms that have cast shadows over their identities for far too long.

 The choice of having models carrying paintings on a runway was deliberate and not just for display. It aimed to initially  present the most objectified female form allowed on stage, that of lingerie model, and then same models were given paintings to carry on the same runway, to illustrate the metamorphosis of the message sent by inclusion of art into the picture.

Through runs with and without art works, the stark contrast underlined the transformative power of art, defying conventional perceptions.

The show also materialized revolutionary and innovative in several ways:

**Revolutionary Milestones**

1. The First-Ever Art Exhibition on a Fashion Runway:

ArtYourJourney pioneered the integration of art into the fashion runway, creating a mesmerizing fusion of two creative worlds.

2. Innovative  First Ever Look Book Merging Clothing with Art:

The show introduced the world’s first look book that seamlessly paired clothing with art, illustrating the profound connection between fashion and artistic expression.

3. A Bold Stand Against Objectification:

ArtYourJourney was not just a pretty picture, but simple and yet revolutionary solution to combat objectification. The call was extended to social media influencers, models, especially those in lingerie and swimwear segment, to incorporate art into their posts, sparking a transformative narrative change.

ArtYourJourney production by Kir x Exteasy team, with its seductive appeal of conventional beauty and a hidden underneath it profound and universal message, transcended the boundaries of tradition, merging the worlds of art and fashion into a visionary and empowering experience.

It called upon the industry to rekindle its creative spirit and to embrace a future where beauty and substance harmoniously coexist, leaving an indelible mark on the world of art and fashion for generations to come.

In that regard, ‘Art Your Journey’ appeared not as just a fashion show, but movement that broke free from the constraints of tradition, marrying the worlds of art and fashion to create a revolutionary concept. It challenged the fashion and art industries to rediscover its creative spirit and embrace a future where beauty and substance coexist harmoniously.

Below KIR X Exteasy team shared a sample philosophical dialog between 2 woman discussing the ideas raised in the show, and expressed that they hope a global discussion will materialize from their thought providing effort ArtYourJourney

Girl 1 (Adopting Kir x Exteasy Strategy):

You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about how women are often objectified and reduced to just their physical appearance. Sergey Kir’s approach to using art to present ourselves as more human resonated with me. I’ve started posting sexy photos on Instagram, but I pair them with my own artistic expressions, hoping to shift the focus away from just my body.

Girl 2 (Advocating for Change in Men’s Behavior):

I understand where you’re coming from, and I admire your efforts to reclaim your own narrative. But isn’t it frustrating that we, as women, have to adapt and change our behavior just to counter objectification? Why can’t men change their approach and stop treating us like mere objects?

Girl 1:

I agree, it’s frustrating that the burden often falls on us to shift the narrative. But Kir’s strategy isn’t about changing ourselves entirely – it’s about using our creativity to showcase our complexity beyond just our appearance.

Girl 2:

I hear you, but shouldn’t men be accountable for their behavior too? The argument that men are built to have a sexual attraction as a survival mechanism seems outdated. We’re not in a survival-of-the-fittest scenario anymore. We’re evolved beings with the capacity to control our instincts and respect others’ boundaries.

Girl 1:

That’s true, but isn’t it a bit unrealistic to expect an overnight change in human behavior? Maybe by presenting ourselves in multidimensional ways, we can challenge those who objectify us and gradually shift perceptions.

Girl 2:

I see your point, but it feels like we’re still catering to the status quo. By posting pictures that are perceived as “sexy,” even if they’re accompanied by art, are we inadvertently reinforcing the notion that our value is tied to our appearance?

Girl 1:

Fair point. But isn’t it a form of empowerment to decide how we want to express ourselves? Art allows us to communicate and provoke thought. Maybe by being visible and multifaceted, we can inspire more men to change their attitudes and actions.

Girl 2:

I absolutely believe in empowerment, and I appreciate your perspective. It’s just frustrating that we’re often the ones trying to fix a system that’s inherently flawed. I hope that over time, men can recognize our worth beyond their primal instincts and work towards a culture where we’re all treated with respect, regardless of how we choose to present ourselves.

Girl 1:

I hope so too. Change takes time, but it’s conversations like these that can contribute to a shift in mindset. Maybe by combining our efforts – you advocating for change in men’s behavior and me using art to redefine how I’m seen – we can create a more inclusive world where women are valued for their entirety, not just their physicality.

Also Read: Rebel or Capitalist? The Banksy Museum Bold Take on Artistic Anarchy