Art as Inspiration

[Coutureallure]

I've often seen vintage dresses that drew their inspiration from art. YSL's famous Mondrian dress comes to mind. If you know me, you know my favorite artist is Gustav Klimt. I was lucky enough to travel to Vienna a few years ago to see much of his surviving artwork in person. One of the most impressive pieces was the studies for the Stoclet Freize.

Imagine my delight, when this dress came as part of a recent buy.

My camera dulled down the metallic shimmer somewhat, but this dress is clearly inspired by Klimt's work. It is 1960's, and the original slip or underdress is missing, but the embroidery is simply exquisite. You can see more detailed pictures at my website.

I really love this dress.

 

[BagDiva]

thats fabulous...and a genuinely art influencing fashion piece very strongly in fact!! its beautiful and he's one of my fave stoo. now all thats missing is a face or two...LOL!!

 

[debutanteclothing]

Oooh, that's lovely. You must post these side by side. There is a blogger that posts beautiful images of flowers, insects or even tea cups that she feels mimic the lines of runway looks. Her blog is Trend de la Creme.

I can't get over how complimentary this dress is.

Sandra

 

[cmpollack]

Wow, Jody, that's amazing! (Both the echo of the Klimt in the embroidery and the fact that you found the dress that echoed a work by your favorite artist in the first place...)

 

[emmapeelpants]

Beautiful! I went to the Klimt exhibition in Liverpool back in July, quite a contrast from the mainly Beatles/Duran Duran culture I was acquiring for most of the weekend - lol!!, and it reenforced his status as one of my absolute favourite artists of all time. I just stood there in awe for most of them.

Strangely enough, the most beautiful pieces in many ways were the nude life drawings which were deemed pornographic. I love both sides of his work so much, and obviously the richly decorated gold nouveau paintings are breathtakingly beautiful. But the faint, sketchy studies in sexuality were little vignettes of his real talent as an artist without the gloss of the finished paintings we all know and love.