The Tamesis
It’s the ultimate form of shopping: you go to a museum and make a mental note of what you want to wear. maybe you will be attracted burning juneof sheer marigold dress, or Nike of Samothrace’s draped, windswept tunic, or Madame X’s gorgeous velvet gown, secured by delicate chain straps.
This year, the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition “The Art of Costume” focuses on how the body interacts with fashion, and how fashion interacts with art—so we asked Fashion Employees and friends share their favorite pieces of clothing from paintings, sculptures or fine art photographs. Some are transfixed by figures from the past (take stylist Bailey Moon, for example, who has long been obsessed with Anne Boleyn, or Chloe Malle, who admired the Countess d’Osonville for her style), others, like FashionNicole Phelps is drawn to more abstract sartorial expressions, such as the shimmering golden gowns in Klimt’s works kiss.
But that’s not all. See some of our other favorite fashion moments in the artwork below.
spring flowers Sandro Botticelli, c. 1480
spring flowers Sandro Botticelli, c. 1480Photo; DEA/G.NIMATALLAH/Getty Images
My dad inherited his love of Greek mythology and my mom inherited her love of Botticelli, so spring flowers Particularly praised in my book. I have always been particularly fascinated by Botticelli’s ability to depict transparency – especially the Three Graces. While they were connected by breezy, sheer white dresses, they each had their own unique look: the joy of a gathered look with a brooch on the sternum, the chastity of a draped shoulder, the beauty of romantic puff sleeves, gold necklaces and pearl headpieces. ——Hannah Jackson, fashion writer
portrait of anne boleyn, Artist unknown, late 16th century
portrait of anne boleyn, Artist unknown, ca. late 16th centuryPhoto: Robert Alexander/Getty Images
