Xerox/Rock/Art Hardcover

Stephen Sprouse

Drawn from an archive comprised of 1,500 separate pieces, including 600 original drawings, color Xeroxes, swatch references and inspiration materials, Stephen Sprouse: Xerox/Rock/Art presents a revelatory look at Sprouse's design work from the mid-1970s through the late 1980s--a period characterized by the artist/designer's participation in and connection to the glamorous studios of Bill Blass and Halston and his embrace of New York City's edgy East Village/ Bowery vibe. The works on paper included here reveal Sprouse's unmistakable energy: his facile and powerful inked lines, his use of the Xerox machine which, in the spirit of Andy Warhol, allowed Stephen to vary gouache color applications. Sprouse's fashion designs and sketches unmistakably capture the era of disco and punk. Inspirational muses represented here include Jackie Onassis, Patty Hearst, Patti Smith and Debbie Harry of Blondie. In 1978, Harry famously wore an off-the-shoulder creation in a concert that signaled Sprouse's public debut and the two star talents collaborated for years (Harry also provides the introduction to this volume). Though he was recognized at the tender age of 14 as a design prodigy, Sprouse's commercial success alternately soared and stalled, but his assuredness of vision and unique concepts have made legendary contributions to the world of fashion. The intimacy of the sketches and designs collected here give the viewer a rare opportunity to draw closer to Stephen Sprouse the artist and his frenetic career. Stephen Sprouse (1953-2004) launched his first collections in the early 1980s to immediate critical acclaim, selling in venues such as Henry Bendel and Bergdorf Goodman. In the late 1980s, Sprouse opened stores on Wooster St in New York and at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles. In 2001, Louis Vuitton incorporated Stephen's designs into their product line. Sprouse died of heart failure, following a diagnosis of lung cancer, at the age of 50.

English

DAMIANI

26 May 2015

208

He was 14 years old when he began sketching for designer Bill Blass, andin the 1980s Sprouse worked with Andy Warhol on a collection inspiredby Warhol's "Camouflage" series of paintings. Sprouse reemerged inthe 1990s, but it was his 2001-02 graffiti-motif clothing (for Target)and handbags (for Louis Vuitton) that fueled his reputation as a designpioneer. Sprouse also clothed a former neighbor--Debbie Harry ofBlondie. He worked extensively with the band Duran Duran at the endof the 1980s

What is most commendable about this "snapshot" of Sprouse's work is that there is very little text involved, which allows the reader to focus on the designer's work rather than any expository explanation of it.--Jeffrey Felner "New York Journal of Books " this more intimate affair lets us delve deeply into Sprouse's creative process, dreams, and aspirations. With scans of fabric swatches and cryptic notes flanking glorious marker and pencil sketches, readers get a peek into the glam god's xeroxed world.--Alexander Cavaluzzo "Hyperallergic " Some of late fashion designer Stephen Sprouse's work--like those graffiti-style bags for Louis Vuitton--are unforgettable. But some of the work the New York-based designer did has never been seen before. Until now.--Meaghan Hartland "DuJour " This 208-page compendium of sketches, drawings, and copy machine art paints a vibrant portrait of an incredibly prolific member of Warhol's infamous factory.--Noah Silverstein "Elle Magazine "