Ian Wooldridge's "Uniform" has been paired with an outfit from Alessandro Michele's Fall/Winter 2026-27 Valentino show titled "Interferenze" ("Interference"). Looking to Nietzsche for inspiration, Michele, in his extensive show notes for "Interferenze," cites a "polar structure" in which "the Apollonian and the Dionysian do not oppose one another, but operate as simultaneous principles animating both languages from within." Named after the silent film star Rudolph Valentino, the late Valentino Garavani's life and work were synonymous with iconic Hollywood couture (i.e. see Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone, Halle Berry). Wooldridge brilliantly channels this cinematic lineage, borrowing screenplay conventions to "CUT" and "PAUSE" and guide his reader's eye through the psychic architecture of clothing. Metallurgical red. Slate and charcoal greys. Polar blues. Visuality feels vital to understanding "Uniform." From the "precious metal plating" of the Cutler and Gross sunglasses to the work's curious conclusion, Wooldridge demonstrates how fashion, like film, can be a medium of profound projection.
— Paul Cunningham, Editor
Uniform
Uniform
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i Allesandro Michele and Emanuele Coccia, The Life of Forms - Theory of the Re-enchantment (Milan: HarperCollins, 2024)
ii The Model 0005 sunglasses are a premium, archival re-release by the luxury eyewear brand Cutler and Gross. Handcrafted in Italy, they retail for approximately £474 to £607 depending on the precious metal finish and retailer
iii ibid
Ian Wooldridge is an artist and writer. He has presented work at Centre d'Art Contemporain, Geneva (CH); FriArt Kunsthalle Fribourg (CH); ICA, London (UK); Istituto Svizzero, Rome (IT); the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale, Venice (IT); and Museum Folkwang, Essen (DE). His writing has appeared in Artforum, Frieze, Mousse and Texte zur Kunst. He is currently finalising an artist book, loose homme, due for release in December 2026.
