In a unique collaboration unveiled this International Women’s Day, fashion brand Lafayette 148 pays homage to the visionary artist and photographer Martha Madigan (1950-2022). The Martha Madigan x Lafayette 148 capsule collection celebrates Madigan’s legacy and artistic practice, which explored the beauty of nature through unconventional photographic techniques.

This collection marks a first for Lafayette 148: a collaboration with the estate of a significant artist. The capsule features luxurious pieces crafted from Italian silk twill and voile, adorned with Madigan’s signature botanical prints created using sunlight and natural objects. The result is a stunning embodiment of Madigan’s philosophy, where nature itself becomes the creative force.

A Pioneering Artist

Madigan was a photographer and artist who began experimenting in the 1970s. She rejected traditional cameras, opting instead for a “camera-less” approach that utilized sunlight and cyanotype paper to create ethereal, light-infused silhouettes. Her works are now part of the permanent collections at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Art Institute of Chicago, among other institutions.

Aligning with Lafayette 148’s Vision

The Lafayette 148 design team, led by Creative Director Emily Smith, has long been inspired by nature and has incorporated natural art techniques like eco-printing into recent collections. This collaboration with the Madigan estate feels like a natural extension of this design ethos.

“I’m so thrilled to have collaborated with Grace and Claire [Madigan’s daughters] in honoring their mother’s extraordinary life,” says Smith. Smith hopes the collection will introduce more people to Madigan’s work and allow wearers to become part of her artistic legacy.

A Commitment to Women in Art

The launch of the collection on International Women’s Day further underscores the Brooklyn-based atelier’s commitment to women artists. Twenty percent of the proceeds will benefit the Martha Madigan Foundation, which supports art education. The collection will be available exclusively during Women’s History Month at select Lafayette 148 stores and online.

A Celebration of Legacy

To further honor Madigan’s work, Lafayette 148 will host an exhibition of her art pieces, including large-scale prints on silk, at their New York flagship from March 13 through April 13. The opening will be co-hosted by Smith and Madigan’s daughters, Claire Khodara and Grace Fuller Marroquin, who are both accomplished artists themselves.

This collaboration serves as a beautiful tribute to Martha Madigan’s artistic vision and a testament to the enduring power of nature, creativity, and, of course, women.

MARTHA MADIGAN X L148: SHOP NOW