How does art make fashion?
We all know that history repeats itself, this is ever present in fashion as we see the trend cycle cycling through now faster than ever before. We look to the past for things that are different or give us a sense of nostalgia for older times. There is a repeat within textures, silhouettes, colors, and even socio-cultural factors. Fashion is how we represent ourselves without needing to say a word, art transpires the same way, in this way fashion is art as a living form. Because these art forms are so tightly woven fashion designers often turn to art history for inspiration. For example, Alexander McQueen often turned to renaissance pieces and replicated Elisabethian silhouettes and cuffs. By incorporating historical elements, one is actively reintroducing something that feels new. It has a sense of luxury and status because of how it was worn, who it was worn by, and the fact that it isn’t worn anymore.
Cardi-B at the Heavenly Bodies 2018 Met Gala in an Elizabethian gown and accessories.
A very prominent example of art and fashion history being a level of status is seen within prominent events such as the Met Gala with previous themes of Heavenly Bodies. Some elements that have made their way into mainstream fashion that is heavily inspired by the Renaissance includes headbands with gemstones, Juliet sleeves, and floral prints.
Queen Elizabeth is a widely known fashion influence, with her alien-like silhouettes and unique transformation of fashion back then creating her own mythology. She stood out with her wealth, status, and displayed these things through her fashion, she was made to look like something unattainable and once again, other worldly. She continues to inspire with tight corsets, jeweled cage like accessories, large lace collars, and extreme embroidery. She has inspired many designers such as Valentino and Vivienne Westwood, Nabil Nayal, and many more.
Queen Elizabeth I In her finest gown and accessories standing over the places in the world she rules.
Royalty has been a focal point for fashion as its what the best money of the times could buy and create influence with. An aspect of Elizabethan fashion was tall and tight ruffled and often lacey collars that symbolized status as well as being a display that they could not participate in manual labor due to its immobility.
The Baroque period reveled in opulence, action, and beauty, being striking often with dark backgrounds and prominent visual figures, this was very easy to translate into fashion as we often strive for similar values in how we dress.
I would be ashamed not to mention Rococo art and its flamboyant influence. With a focus on nature and natural shapes such as leaves and shells and expression. The Rococo period was light and concentrated on the beauty of life. Ranging from beautiful portraits with large flowing gowns all the way to aristocrats frolicking in fields pretending to live the simple life as a farmer, or more so what they imagined that life was like. Colors of the Rococo are not to be skipped either, ranging from intense pink hues to pastel green and delicate blues, one can simply not feel like life is dreamy based on these dainty colors.
Looking at art and historical fashion keeps us on our toes and continues to inspire u with its timeless beauty and classical designs.