This collection is inspired by and dedicated to Jean-Michel Basquiat, Haitian and Puerto Rican Neo-Expressionist artist, who reached the height of his career in the 1980’s, leaving a legacy of artistic impact and boundary breaking that has lasted to this day. Basquiat was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1960. He was engaged with and influenced by art at a young age, as his parents ensured that he has a membership at the Brooklyn Museum. This small seed would grow into his expression as a graffiti artist as he transitioned out of his family home at the age of 17, due to circumstances relating to his relationship with his parents, turning to a life of homelessness in Manhattan from there. He achieved fame initially as a member of the artist duo SAMO, who tagged Lower Manhattan with poignant graffiti messages, unlike any other style of graffiti at the time. As more of the New York community became aware of his work, he gained the support of individuals who funded his continued work and gave him a financial opportunity to create in the ways that we know him for today, painting, drawing, and expressing his culture, background, and experience through his art.

Jean-Michel’s style, from his early childhood, throughout his young adult life, was often very business-casual, containing a lot of blazers, collared shirts, polo collared shirts, and dress shirts. He also, on some occasions, dressed more casually, wearing t shirts and sweatshirts. This style was expressed in a variety of contexts, whether Basquiat was painting, relaxing, or out and about in New York City. The pieces I designed for Basquiat speak to his natural style, but also speak to his identity and career as a painter, through what I call “Painter’s Utility.” The first garment is a short sleeve cropped t-shirt, followed by two Painter’s utility vests. From there, via a more business casual aesthetic, I designed an innovative style of vest called the Duffle Vest, followed by a dress shirt, blazer, and two outer coats. I also included an ode to the band that he co-founded in the early stages of his career, called GRAY, inspired by Gray’s Anatomy.

Please enjoy your exploration of Jean-Michel (2020).