ashion and photography share certain characteristics. Each claims the status of art, yet remains at its margins. The claims of photography have achieved recognition to some extent, yet photography-as-art constitutes only a small part of all photography. Fashion’s claim to artistic status remains contentious.

 

Yet there’s a space in fashion and photography where perception and aesthetics come together to create material memories. It’s a combination of multidimensional textures, colors, and freedom of design that allow for the ability to take us to different times and spaces– 

and if there’s one thing we know, it’s that escapism has always been the cornerstone of art.

 

In this editorial, we explore texture, color, and motion through imagery and styling with scarves from designer Christa Louise, whose products are a prime example of material memories and craft as art.

 

Her ‘Romantic’ collection is inspired by various cities around the world, with each piece nodding to a respective place through a multidimensional texture & color palette.

Each scarf a one-of-a-kind fusion of pure silk and ultra-fine merino wool, Christa Louise original designs are handcrafted by a small group of women in Mexico. Using a technique known as “nuno felting,” each scarf incorporates wool fibers into the silk fabric that makes up the body of the scarf. What results is a “puckered” effect amongst the whispy wool fibers that makes each scarf completely unique.

 

 

Nuno felting incorporates only soap, water and a specific hand technique that results in a beautiful textile with a weightless, ethereal feel—yet still warm thanks to wool. Hand-massaged fibers create a puckered look that makes each piece unique and reversible. Plus, your purchase helps contribute to economic independence for the artisans in Mexico.

 

Any one Christa Louise scarf can be comprised of several wool colors, from pink to red, grey or black. With fibers that are fused to the silk fabric using hand massage, soap and water only, Christa Louise scarves are all-natural.

 

Coupling my work as a fine art & fashion photographer and Christa Louise’s ability to weave aesthetics with reminiscence, we explore the idea of material memories through various locations, textures, and moods. Because of the variety of colors and their lightweight nature, these can be draped, tied or knotted – let this editorial be a source of inspiration.