30 Style Accessories Made From The Most Random Stuff You Can Find In Your Home By This Canadian Artist
Interview With ArtistIt’s hard to pinpoint just how old fashion as a concept and phenomenon is, but one thing is for certain—it has been around for so long that it’s an inevitable part of any culture and society.
But, as is with most things, fashion too has been around for so long that it is becoming increasingly harder to come up with something new, something fresh.
Enter Gab Bois, Montreal-based artist who has been effectively reinventing fashion using everyday items. Bois’ ingenious ideas are featured in the curated list below, along with an interview with the mastermind herself.
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A red cabbage crop top? That's taking the expression "eat it or wear it" way too literally!
As I scroll through these, I'm wondering just how much money I can make if I bet that some day very soon, an eclectic fashion designer is going to see them and decide that it's a fashion gold mine. Moving forward, he/she will recreate with appropriate materials.
And... what if that designer happens to use they/them or neopronouns?
Load More Replies...Gab Bois takes that which is mundane and ordinary and turns it into something that makes most people do a double take, bringing in a fresh way of seeing things. The photographer defamiliarizes ordinary household and other conventional items as fashion accessories, among many other things.
This includes everything from banana slippers and skull cap cereal bowls to pumpkin hats and a whole bunch of bras and purses, making for some surreal photography. Sure, it's not all that practical for the most part, but it certainly captivates people with how surreal it looks as works of art.
“I was always into fashion, especially DIY fashion, even as a kid. I would help my mom remove the leaves from the corn cobs and then we would use them to make doll dresses. I’d also make flower necklaces for the neighborhood cats during my free time, little things like that,” Bois explained the origins of this idea.
“Being an only child and playing by myself, I was put into a position where I had to find ways to keep myself occupied, and I developed a huge interest in doing little crafts, so I can say a part of the work I do now still comes from that childhood interest and curiosity.”
We asked Bois to elaborate on how the whole creativity process goes in her book, and she said this:
“The process starts with an idea. Sometimes, it comes on its own, without me having to even think about it, but sometimes I sit myself down and brainstorm.”
“Then, production. It can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several days, depending on the complexity of the idea and its execution, and whether or not I get it right on the first try.”
“I then finish off with post-production. That part also varies in time and complexity but I always try to create as much of the concept in real life so I only polish off the image in post and don’t do any major editing work.”
Tf? This is something people on the show (Naked and Afraid) would do
Art is a challenge in and of itself that can sometimes end up pulling an artist back to square one no matter how fleshed out it may look in your head. Bois considers some of the challenges she finds the hardest in her line of art:
“There are many times when an image I thought would look a certain way in my head doesn’t turn out that way at all. That’s definitely the most challenging part of trying to turn ideas and abstract concepts into three-dimensional objects or sets, because there’s only so much that you can plan in your head before trying it in real life.”
“Also, sometimes a concept that I think is super clear and makes so much sense is completely lost in translation when brought into a picture. It’s definitely frustrating when that happens, but that pushes me to be resourceful, think outside the box, and try again.”
Lastly, we’ve asked Bois to point out some of her favorites among the slew of designs she’s created over the years, and she had this to say:
“I have many favorites. Sometimes ideas turn out so much better than I had expected and that just brings me so much joy. The orange bra and cell phone inside a sea shell are great examples of that.”
“The other ones I really love because of the context of their production, whether I got help from a loved one to make it or the feelings I experienced while making it. That’s the case for the big band-aid blanket, the book pages made of yellow cheese singles and the ice cream cone made of snow.”
There’s much more to be seen outside this list, so be sure to check out Bois’ Instagram for more incredible out-of-the-box art. She also has a book—an artist book that you can buy here.
But before you dash off to another one of our articles, why not let us know what you thought of this in the comment section below!
I know a lot of people are complaining bout how none of this is practical, but that's kind of the whole thing- it's art, it's just supposed to be interesting looking. And it achieved that, I like the aesthetic of a lot of these?
I think people are missunderstandiing, these arnt supposed to be practical, just coll looking and unique. I thought they were cool.
The world would be boring if we liked all the same things I guess!
I'm pretty sure some of these are Photoshop creations, like the bolts through the ear, the Q-tip through the ear, and the banana bag (to name the most obvious ones) - so another level at which this is art and fantasy rather than utility.
I love these! If I had any artistic talent, this is what I would want to do.
It's not abstract art, it is a design. Like music everyone will have a different opinion depending how it makes them feel. If she went further and each piece had a story, making it an abstract, I think the people who don't like it would at least appreciate the work. For me it's fun. I enjoyed viewing the work. Great designs
These are so fun! I love this kind of stuff. Very clever and creative. Seems like many don't get it. It isn't that hard to understand...
Whatever. She just copying stuff that happened literally a hundred years ago when the Surrealists drew fashion. Except they didn't use Photoshop.
I know a lot of people are complaining bout how none of this is practical, but that's kind of the whole thing- it's art, it's just supposed to be interesting looking. And it achieved that, I like the aesthetic of a lot of these?
I think people are missunderstandiing, these arnt supposed to be practical, just coll looking and unique. I thought they were cool.
The world would be boring if we liked all the same things I guess!
I'm pretty sure some of these are Photoshop creations, like the bolts through the ear, the Q-tip through the ear, and the banana bag (to name the most obvious ones) - so another level at which this is art and fantasy rather than utility.
I love these! If I had any artistic talent, this is what I would want to do.
It's not abstract art, it is a design. Like music everyone will have a different opinion depending how it makes them feel. If she went further and each piece had a story, making it an abstract, I think the people who don't like it would at least appreciate the work. For me it's fun. I enjoyed viewing the work. Great designs
These are so fun! I love this kind of stuff. Very clever and creative. Seems like many don't get it. It isn't that hard to understand...
Whatever. She just copying stuff that happened literally a hundred years ago when the Surrealists drew fashion. Except they didn't use Photoshop.