While the fashion featured on HBO’s “Insecure” has been a highlight worth watching all five seasons, costume designer Shiona Turini was on ten for the final season, whether the debut of a previously unseen Telfar bag color, a collaboration with Pyer Moss designer Kerby Jean-Raymond on a runway collection or the exclusive use of all Black women designers in episode seven.
For episode eight, Turini reached out to artist Genevieve Gaignard to request the use of her mixed media painting The Innocent American to create a chic mock neck top worn by character Issa Dee (Issa Rae). Underscoring the art, Issa wore the shirt to attend an outdoor art walk event organized by the BLOCC, her creative agency.
Based in Los Angeles, Gaignard is a multi-media artist whose work explores themes of race, class and femininity while navigating the dynamics of an intersectional identity. Her work has been shown at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C., Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, California African American Museum in Los Angeles and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams, Massachusetts, among others.
We had an email exchange with Gaignard to learn about the “Insecure” top featuring her art work and her relationship with fashion. Check it out below.
Snobette: Aside from its depth and messaging, your artwork and installations can be described as stylish. Is fashion important to you?
Genevieve Gaignard: “Yes, I love fashion. Since I did not come from wealth, style is definitely about getting creative, working with what you have as opposed to wearing high end designers. Also, since I moved to Los Angeles I have been way more exposed to the world of fashion, being around folks that simply ooze with style.”
Snobette: What did it feel like to see your work on television?
Genevieve Gaignard: “I was kind of freaking out because the top itself was made a while ago. To finally see it on screen was a beautiful thing!”
Snobette: The graphic nature of your work and its meaningful subject matter lends itself beautifully to apparel. Is this something you plan to explore further?
Genevieve Gaignard: “That’s a good question. I’m not sure if I’m there yet. I still have a lot to learn, but in a dream world yes! I I would definitely be open to some brand collaborations!”
