We are thrilled to unveil our latest collaboration with South African artist Michael Taylor, whose distinctive work captures the immediacy and depth of the drawing process. Known for developing intricate scenes and characters in his paintings, Taylor brings his signature style to this season’s FIELDS collection, titled Elegance. This limited-edition release features a knitwear piece, a hoodie, a tote and later to come, jackets in our seasonal silhouettes. All embody the elegance and narrative richness that both Taylor and FIELDS are celebrated for. Dive into the story behind this unique partnership and experience the fusion of bold craftsmanship and wearable art.
Your artistic work has garnered attention for its distinctive style and narrative depth. Could you share the guiding philosophy behind your art? How do you approach translating complex ideas into visual form?
Michael Taylor: My mood plays a significant role in the direction my work takes. Depending on how I feel, I may create either a landscape or a representational image. The style I choose is directly influenced by this mood and the extent to which I want to reveal a narrative. The balance between what is shown and what is implied in my work is always guided by this response. My approach to leaving out the figure in my landscapes is intentional. It creates a powerful invitation for the viewer to engage with the narrative on a more personal level. By allowing space for them to step into the scene, I aim to open up a dialogue between the artwork and the viewer, encouraging them to become part of the story. I hope this design achieves that same reflective interaction, where each person who encounters it can find their own place within the narrative.
Your collaboration with FIELDS brings your artwork into the realm of fashion. What drew you to this partnership, and how does working in fashion differ from your usual artistic mediums?
Michael Taylor: I'm always curious about how my work translates into new mediums. Having worked with fashion designers before, I'm interested in seeing how my drawings and mark-making changes when translated into a multi-sided design. Working in fashion differs from my usual mediums because it involves creating something dynamic and wearable, rather than static. The idea that the art is fragmented and viewed while moving feels exciting to me.
FIELDS is known for its thoughtful approach to menswear, emphasising craftsmanship and storytelling. How did your artistic vision align with the brand's ethos, and how did you integrate your narrative into the collection?
Michael Taylor: The theme for this collection is elegance, and I believe that all the elements of the artwork reflect the sensibilities tied to that idea. Fields's ethos, to me, embodies something natural, bold, relaxed, and very considered, and I think the narrative in the artwork aligns well with those values. The line work in the image requires a closer look to fully interpret, so colour became the dominant design element. It was crucial that the colours convey the specific narrative and resonate with the ethos of the Fields brand. The complementary blue and orange colours used in the artwork are integral to the narrative and emotional resonance of the piece. They symbolise an agreement, a dialogue between shifting spaces—where you come from and where you are moving towards—as well as the transition of thoughts from the past into the future. These colours also reflect a contemplative view on one's position in time and space, and the intentions of interacting with that space to become part of something larger and harmonious. By choosing naturalistic, recognisable colours, I aimed to evoke a sense of trust and elegance, something that is familiar yet forward-looking, which aligns perfectly with the themes of reflection and transition that run throughout the work.
Your work is often deeply personal and introspective. How do you infuse your identity and experiences into a fashion collection that will be worn by others? Does this shift in context alter your creative approach?
Michael Taylor: The theme and representation in this image are intentionally open-ended, allowing it to resonate with a wide audience. It's not a personal narrative, which makes it easier for others who invest in the fashion item to connect with the shared idea or experience. The concepts of escaping into a dreamy landscape, finding solitude, and disconnecting from reality are familiar, and I believe this image reflects values that many people can relate to. It's designed to be a fairly universal representation that invites anyone to step into that shared space.
Your artistic work often explores themes of identity, space, and human connection. Did these themes influence your collaboration with FIELDS? How did you translate such abstract ideas into tangible fashion pieces?
Michael Taylor: Yes, the themes of identity, space, and human connection always inform my work. In this project, these themes are embodied in the image titled 'Moments Away', which reflects the idea of changing seasons, leaving something behind, and moving forward to explore the new. The image, with its imaginary landscape and dreamlike scene, creates a narrative that intertwines space and human connection. Translating these abstract ideas into tangible fashion pieces involved careful consideration of how these themes could be visually represented and felt through the design.
Looking ahead, how do you see the relationship between your art and fashion evolving? Are there particular themes or ideas you’re excited to explore in future collaborations or projects?
Michael Taylor: Personally, I'm quite a fan of knitwear, so it was exciting to be asked to collaborate specifically on that design form. I wouldn’t mind doing other designs for knitwear in the future because I'm fascinated by the transition from the drawn line to the knitted, woven line. I'm really interested in exploring the conceptual ideas of how a drawn line is translated into a mechanical weave, a mechanical line. The same goes for colour—experimenting with the interplay of line and colour in mechanical knitting could lead to some intriguing outcomes.
Available at our boutiques in V&A Waterfront Cape Town and The Old Biscuit Mill Cape Town, or online at fieldsstore.com.
Credits:
Campaign: Ian Englebrecht and Andrea Albertyn
Stills: Michael Goldsmid and Dan Boraine
Behind the scenes images: Bronwyn Nel