Francis Montesinos Fall 2011: Spanish Fashion Meets Matt Lamb

The 53^rd edition Cibeles Madrid Fashion Week came hot on the heels of its New York counterpart, during which brightly patterned prints ruled the runways. A decidedly unique spin on the same colorful trend was seen at the Francis Montesinos show in Madrid February 19, where interpretive art and high fashion collided in the Spanish designer’s unabashedly vibrant collaboration with Chicago artist Matt Lamb.

Montesinos and Lamb met a year ago through mutual friends, and soon forged a plan for combining Lamb’s genre-defying contributions to contemporary art with Montesinos’ preeminent presence in Spanish fashion. Montesinos’ Fall/Winter 2011-2012 collection, titled Umbrellas, was inspired by Lamb’s work, both as an artist and peace activist. Several pieces feature direct representations of his art—more often than not depicting fluid, wraith-like creatures the artist refers to as “spirits from the other side.” It’s a theme also celebrated in Montesinos’ signature style of frothy swaths of fabric and elegant silhouettes.

Matt Lamb-inspired gowns in Francis Montesinos’ Fall/Winter 2011-2012 collection

left photo courtesy of Sheila Lamb-Gabler; right photo via MujerHoy

Montesinos is inspired by Lamb’s use of earthy ochres, oranges, and browns;

Jon Kortajarena wearing pants and shirt inspired by a painter’s palette

photos via MujerHoy

Francis Montesinos and Matt Lamb embrace as the show concludes

photo courtesy of Sheila Lamb-Gabler

The Lamb-Montesinos clothing line will debut in Chicago in May, with a version available for purchase at Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s in the near future.

A fun fact: Lamb was a successful undertaker and entrepreneur for Chicago’s largest family run funeral home franchise for many years, prior to a near-death encounter at age 51. The close call prompted the artist to reevaluate his life and dedicate the remainder of it to art and peace activism—although some aspects of his previous life continue to haunt his elusive paintings.

www.francismontesinos.com

www.mattlamb.org

www.umbrellasforpeace.org

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