In the heart of downtown San Diego, a monumental sculpture has stood since 1995…now dwarfed by the increasing scale of the surrounding buildings. The work by well known African American artist Melvin Edwards is a large and tall metal sculpture that serves as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. and symbolizes the breaking the chains of discrimination. This stunning piece has been on my short list of public art to feature for a long while, but only the most perfect fashion pairing would do for this piece with such important meaning. To bring this merging of fashion and art to life, I was lucky enough to work with the brand LFJ, known for their avant-garde creations and ability to merge fashion with unconventional materials. LFJ Official has gained recognition for pushing the boundaries of the industry with a focus on creating art through fashion genderless pieces. The Nigerian brand is known for its edgy play on pleats with excellent craftsmanship merging art and fashion to create designs with character. Creative director Princess Juliet Olanipekun has embraced her own unconventional style and vision and earned her recognition at an international level. Her unique, visionary and abashedly fearless approach to fashion certainly represented breaking chains in that industry to me, and that made it the perfect partner to Edward’s piece in my opinion. I always try my hardest to be evolving and intertwining these two creative disciplines of fashion and art in new and interesting ways and I really feel this one is a favorite to date. Captured effortlessly and magically as always by Angela of Create with Gusto, this may be my favorite union of artistic expressions to date. And refocusing some attention on this sculpture and its plaque-adorned message from Martin Luther King, Jr. during these turbulent times is ultimate.
“ALONG THE WAY OF LIFE, SOMEONE MUST HAVE SENSE ENOUGH AND MORALITY ENOUGH TO CUT OFF THE CHAIN OF HATE. THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE BY PROJECTING THE ETHIC OF LOVE TO THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES.”
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
All Photos: Create with Gusto
Outfit: LFJ Official
Art: Breaking of the Chains by Mel Edwards (1995)
A Colorful Art Fashion Blog 