There is no universal consensus on the precise definition of art. From what pleases to what reflects the times, philosophers have long struggled to determine the indefinable. Something that can be defined, however, is fashion. Despite being a general term that can be applied to “a way of doing something,” a form of art, or a prevailing custom, the word has a specific meaning in the sartorial realm: what is on trend. And for decades, the worlds of fashion and art, both complex, have teamed up to create intriguing, fascinating, and unforgettable collaborations that are forever etched in our minds. We rounded up the 10 most legendary times fashion and art joined forces to leave an impression on the world.
Elsa Schiaparelli x Salvador Dali
When it comes to the intersection of art and fashion, it’s hard not to think of Salvador Dalí and Elsa Schiaparelli. With projects such as a makeup case in the shape of a rotating telephone, the shoe hat, and the skeleton dress, the duo revolutionized the way art and fashion interacted forever. The most outstanding, however, is certainly the Lobster Dress. The white gown designed by Schiaparelli in 1937, on which Dalí painted a lobster, evolved into one of the most provocative designs of the time, with a legion of admirers ranging from Wallis Simpson in Cecil Beaton‘s photographs, contemporary fashionistas, and the current creative director Daniel Roseberry. An enduring symbol of Schiaparelli’s partnership with Dalí and the Surrealist movement, the Lobster Dress is considered by many to be a pioneer of art and fashion team-up.
Yves Saint Laurent x Piet Mondrian
For Yves Saint Laurent’s Fall/Winter 1965 collection, the French designer paid homage to Piet Mondrian‘s 1929 abstract canvas “Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow”. The signature ’60s silhouette cocktail dress featured graphic black lines and bold blocks of color that alluded to the painting. What was once a tribute to art has become arguably one of the most recognizable designs in fashion history and a memorable example of the fusion of fashion and art.
Azzedine Alaïa x César Baldaccini
For Alaïa‘s Spring/Summer 1985 collection, Azzedine Alaïa teamed up with his longtime friend and sculptor César Baldaccini, known for his compressed work in which he transforms metal objects and leftovers into sculptures. In this art-meets-fashion collaboration, Baldaccini designed a two-dimensional compression pattern on paper that was printed on fabric and presented on Alaïa’s runway.
Issey Miyake x Yasumasa Morimura
As sleek sophistication took the late ’90s by storm and Issey Miyake Pleats Please grew into the fashion repertoire for its intellectual and elegant approach, the Japanese designer smartly teamed up with many artists, starting with Yasumasa Morimura. For the Fall/Winter 1996-1997 collection, Morimura was inspired by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres‘ 1856 painting La Source to create a print. Wrapping the historical painting’s statuesque figure in red mesh, the result was a pleated, long-sleeved blouse with a print that conjugates the contemporary with the neoclassical.
Stephen Sprouse x Andy Warhol
Known as a protagonist of New York’s fashion scene, Stephen Sprouse worked with the city’s greatest icon of the ’60s, visual artist Andy Warhol, for Spring/Summer 2003, where geometric shapes, grungy drawings, Alienesque glasses, and an explosion of colors took the stage.
Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami
Starting in 2003 with multicolored L’s and V’s, luxury label Louis Vuitton and artist Takashi Murakami created a phenomenon. Seen on the likes of Paris Hilton, Naomi Campbell and Britney Spears, the multicolored version of the Louis Vuitton monogram remains a favorite of many. But the collaboration didn’t just result in the rainbow-bright monogrammed version. From the sweet Cherry Blossom – as seen on Regina George in Mean Girls and Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City– to the khaki ”Monogramouflage” line sported by Kanye West, Louis Vuitton X Murakami creations have revolutionized the fashion industry while appealing to pop culture – it’s no wonder they remain one of the favorites among fashion collectibles on the market.
Louis Vuitton x Richard Prince
Taking a cue from Richard Prince‘s famous nurse paintings, for Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2008, creative director Marc Jacobs sent models down the runway in see-through nurse dresses and hats that read Louis Vuitton letters.
Maison Margiela x Benjamin Shine
Before the eerie couture show and Pat McGrath‘s glass skin went viral, The Coat was the real star of John Galliano‘s days at Maison Margiela. Seen from behind, the long, white coat presented at the Spring/Summer 2017 couture show may seem innocent, but when viewed from the front, the perspective changes. What is seen is a black tulle sculpted into a woman’s face. Created by multi-talented artist Benjamin Shine, the ghostly figure lingers as an echo, captivating fashionistas and art aficionados alike to this day.
Gucci x Isabella Cotier
In 2018, Alessandro Michele‘s maximalist wit teamed up with illustrator Isabella Cotier, known for her quirky characters. The result was a limited-edition Gucci collection featuring a range of colorful and edgy sweatshirts, scarves, hoodies, shirts, and tote bags featuring eight of Cotier’s illustrations inspired by the people of Florence, where she studied. Combining art, unconventionality, and authenticity, the line was seen as an extravagant streetwear paradise that resonated with a younger audience.
Loewe x Albert York
With Jonathan Anderson’s savvy mind and artsy spirit, Loewe Fall/Winter 2024 displayed eighteen petite paintings by the late American artist Albert York ranging from his works from 1963 to 1990 on the green walls of the runway set – creating a genuine gallery. At times, though, the pictures left the walls and moved into the designer’s mind, spiraling into Anderson’s creations – as seen in garments featuring bucolic landscapes, handmade mosaics and floral patterns.
