fashion as art.

Image From: Piet Mondrian, YSL, Sarah Schofield, We Heart It and Tina Kalivas

When a friend suggested adding YSL's adaptation of Piet Mondrian's artwork to my fashion as art feature, I didn't quite realise just how many other designers Mondrian also inspired. The famous geometric compositions of red, blue and yellow primary colours can be seen to have a longstanding influence on fashion, right up until the present day.

YSL adapted the print on a range of dresses for the Fall 1965 collection. Admirably, rather than solely applying the artwork as a direct print, the design plays tribute to the painter by translating the principles of the De Stijl genre into the structure of the dresses. The appearance remains flat by the cut and placement of colours, mirroring the concept of the artwork. This adaptation indicates how the intelligence of the designer and vision of the artist are able to seamlessly work as one.

Other designers inspired by Mondrian include Australian swimwear designer, Sarah Schofield and world-renowned shoe designer, Christian Louboutin, amongst many others.

You can also see Mondrian’s heavy influence on designers who are currently working with grids and have a minimalist approach to colour block. One such designer is Tina Kalivas, whose Mondrian-inspired fashion utterly embodies the concept of ‘when art meets fashion’.

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fashion as art.

Image From: Giovanni Boldini and Dior

Looking through Christian Dior's haute couture collections, it is evident to see the direct inspiration he took from particular artworks. Here the Madeleine Dress (Autumn/Winter 2005/2006) was adapted from Giovanni Boldini's 'Portrait of Mme Charles Max'. This is a perfect example of how history, art, photography and film have influenced some of fashion's greatest designers.


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fashion as art.

Image From: Vogue UK and Inge Jacobsen

It only seems fitting for these artworks, created by Inge Jacobsen, to make an appearance in the 'Fashion as Art' section of my blog. Hand stitched out of old British Vogue covers, the artist aims to challenge how we respond to mass produced imagery by shifting its context to create unique and exclusive art. 

The idea is simple and the result is intriguingly beautiful. 

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fashion as art.

Image From: Fragonard and Rodney Smith

Once again it is obvious to see how artworks of the past can influence fashion photography of today. Here, Rodney Smith's photograph has a clear and striking resemblance to Jean-Honoré Fragonard's famous painting 'The Swing'.

Which one do you prefer?

Check out my previous 'Fashion as Art' post comparing Tim Walker to Manet here.

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fashion as art.

Image From: Manet and Tim Walker

I have always been a firm believer in fashion as an art form. It is no secret that the some of the greatest designers are directly inspired by art and artists; just as art, photography and design will occasionally take its lead from fashion.

By chance I noticed Tim Walker's photograph for British Vogue subtly resembles Manet's artwork ‘Before The Mirror’.

Would you agree?

Have you discovered any other fashion editorials similar to famous paintings?  

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