I have decided to continue to bridge the gap between art and fashion by showcasing  some of my favorite artists on our website. Hopefully it will help expose artists to other sectors of the world that might not necessarily be familiar with them.

I’m starting with Ari Marcopolous…born in Amsterdam but living in New York. Ari truly understands NYC, youth, color, fashion, reality and sexuality. He is one of the early pioneers from the 80′s like Jack Pierson, Nan Goldin and Cindy Sherman who has shaped the direction of where photography/art has moved to.

When I see magazines like Nylon, Self Service, ID, and V, I’m struck with the impression that these photographers from the early 80′s have made on fashion. All of them were artists and not involved in fashion but overtime they became the artists that stylists and fashion photographers would come to emulate.

When I look at American Apparel’s advertising I see Ari. This man has helped shape youth and fashion but few people know his name.

In addition to fashion Ari really demonstrates and exposes youth culture for what it is. He understood it all: way back when the Beastie Boys started rapping.

All along Ari has documented the transitions of what youth are interested in.

My hat goes off to him.

Check out his blog by clicking here.