Statement pieces: The Corita Kent capsule

As certain models made their way from the streets of Paris to the terrace of the Palais de Tokyo, the pieces were impossible to miss. One dress boasted the word ‘hope’ running lengthwise; from underneath a blazer, a T-shirt read “Get with the action.” These collaged words were the work of Corita Kent, a religious sister whose art and graphic poetry addressed subjects of social justice during a period of great political unrest. Under the creative direction of Natacha Ramsay-Levi and with permission from the Corita Art Center, five of her silkscreens have been faithfully reproduced across printed, embroidered and woven garments in the Spring Summer ’21 collection. Corita’s graphic poetry and artwork continues the tradition of strong print designs at Chloé – from the archival creations of Karl Lagerfeld to the Pop Art favoured by Stella McCartney or Phoebe Philo, in addition to Ramsay-Levi’s latest artist collaboration for Chloé Winter ’20 with Rita Ackermann. Part of the proceeds from the Summer ’21 collaboration will support art education through the Corita Art Center, a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving Corita’s legacy.

Corita Kent © Corita Art Center and Adagp, 2020