Sherman Questions IX

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled #408, 2002
2. Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2010

With the staging of tasteless women in shiny, ruffled evening gowns, Sherman finds herself united with Marc Jacobs and his incisive collections. Alternating between grey wallflower minimalism and an explosion of tackiness.
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Image credits Cindy Sherman, Catwalking

Sherman Questions VIII

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled (Balenciaga), 2007
2. Roberto Cavalli Spring/Summer 2004

Another image from the infamous yet untitled Balenciaga series. But this time, Sherman's outfit feels rather Cavalli-esque. A nod from the art of high fashion to the blonde ambitions of Barbie couture?
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Image credits Cindy Sherman, Catwalking

Sherman Questions VII

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled (Balenciaga), 2008
2. Balenciaga Fall/Winter 2007

Indeed, Sherman carefully picks the clothes that are depicted with her characters. And it is not by coincidence that six portraits solely feature head-to-toe Balenciaga - as they follow the invitation by Nicolas Ghesquière. In return, the Fall/Winter 2010 collection includes printed shirts and dresses featuring quotes appropriated from Sherman reviews and interviews published in art magazines.
/HORST

Image credits Cindy Sherman, Catwalking

Sherman Questions VI

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled #157, 1986
2. Madeleine Vionnet 1930s

Sherman's images of ugliness reach their climax with a 1986 character transformation. The woman is transformed into an antropomorphed hybrid, recalling motives of ancient mythology. Of course, this jinxed figure is posing in an historical archive piece by Madelaine Vionnet, a woman known for dressing puppets.
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Image credits Cindy Sherman, Unknown

Sherman Questions V

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled, 2000
2. Givenchy Spring/Summer 2011

The sinister side of Sherman is perpetuated by the self-portrait of a red haired woman in a black negligée, presumptive inhabitant of a trailer park (where suburban Grunge and Goth meet). If Sherman's woman is a rich, subversive beast, her character would wear Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci.
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Image credits Cindy Sherman, Catwalking

Sherman Questions IV

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled #129, 1983
2. Prada Fall/Winter 2006

Melancholic women, beaten by their fears and the eternity of life. The will to create is mostly motivated by the artist's urge to achieve immortality. While art is still said to posess the strength of eternal elevation, fashion (and in particular campaign imagery) is doomed to a short life span per se.
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Image credits Cindy Sherman, Steven Meisel

Sherman Questions III

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled #225, 1990
2. Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2007

One example of incorporating fake body parts and creating a moment of exhibitionist shock. In this regard, Sherman does not only quote the iconic image of Virgin with Child, she also appears close to Jean Paul Gaultier and his skin flashing runway moments. Not rarely quoting symbols of religion and holiness. By offering her right breast and wearing the black lace of a sinful widow, Sherman is bearing the cross.
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Image credits Cindy Sherman, Catwalking

Sherman Questions II

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled #400, 2000
2. Lanvin Fall/Winter 2008

While exploring the decadent side of the rich and Botox-injected, Sherman also uses body parts to create her characters. Consequently, she dresses up as a doll in a literal manner. And reflects on a culture of 'all that money can buy'.
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Image credits Cindy Sherman, Catwalking

Sherman Questions

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled #122, 1983
2. Maison Martin Margiela Spring/Summer 2009

Glamour girl, art billionaire and woman of the year. Images and words will never capture this complex multi-personae. Thus, I will focus on a character study through the means of fashion: Who is Cindy Sherman? And who would she be wearing?
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