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skeleton in fashion – a thread
skeleton motif has been reincarnated by countless designers but let's start from the very beginning:
‘Skeleton Dress’ by Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí (1938)
the two best friends first collaborated in 1936 to design surrealist influenced garments that were mostly +
‘Skeleton Dress’ by Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí (1938)
the two best friends first collaborated in 1936 to design surrealist influenced garments that were mostly +
inspired by Dalí's older paintings or drawings.
the evening dress was made of black crêpe, silk and cotton. the usually delicate trapunto quilt was exaggerated so that the rib cages, spine and leg bone are visible/enormous.
the evening dress was made of black crêpe, silk and cotton. the usually delicate trapunto quilt was exaggerated so that the rib cages, spine and leg bone are visible/enormous.
Schiaparelli and Dalí's skeleton dress has been referenced many times throughout the years. for example: Lady Gaga's Bad Romance (2009) and Daniel Roseberry's Schiaparelli s/s haute couture collection (2020)
‘Spine’ corset by Shaun Leane for Alexander McQueen's s/s 1998 ‘Untitled’ collection
the corset was casted from actual human skeleton & each bone was crafted by hand. after watching Richard Donner’s The Omen (1976), Lee requested for the "tail" to be added.
the corset was casted from actual human skeleton & each bone was crafted by hand. after watching Richard Donner’s The Omen (1976), Lee requested for the "tail" to be added.
the corset was also referencing Memento Mori which is Latin for “remember that you die”. skulls, hourglass, rotting fruits, wilting flowers, cards and grim rippers are common in Memento Mori themed art.
“What a Merry-Go-Round” by Alexander McQueen for a/w 2001
Lee took inspiration from Child Catcher, a character from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and Bob Fosse's Cabaret (1972). the show was dark, sinister, provocative and disturbing. it was the stuff of nightmares.
Lee took inspiration from Child Catcher, a character from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and Bob Fosse's Cabaret (1972). the show was dark, sinister, provocative and disturbing. it was the stuff of nightmares.
[one of] the most memorable part of the show was when a macabre clown, wearing a black stretch satin dress with spiral zipper and striped tights, dragged a golden skeleton by her ankle
![[one of] the most memorable part of the show was when a macabre clown, wearing a black stretch satin dress with spiral zipper and striped tights, dragged a golden skeleton by her ankle](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EcAqHUFUMAECbIH.jpg "[one of] the most memorable part of the show was when a macabre clown, wearing a black stretch satin dress with spiral zipper and striped tights, dragged a golden skeleton by her ankle")
![[one of] the most memorable part of the show was when a macabre clown, wearing a black stretch satin dress with spiral zipper and striped tights, dragged a golden skeleton by her ankle](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EcAqHsaVcAACu9B.jpg "[one of] the most memorable part of the show was when a macabre clown, wearing a black stretch satin dress with spiral zipper and striped tights, dragged a golden skeleton by her ankle")
“Les Parisiennes” by Jean Paul Gaultier for a/w couture 2010
Gaultier loved turning bodies inside out in his designs and for his collection that paid tribute to Paname, he and La Perla created a skeleton corset covered in black swarovski crystals.
Gaultier loved turning bodies inside out in his designs and for his collection that paid tribute to Paname, he and La Perla created a skeleton corset covered in black swarovski crystals.
“Capriole” by Iris Van Herpen for a/w couture 2011
taking inspiration from Michael Hansmeyer's algorithmic sculpture, Iris collaborated with Eragatory to create a 3D printed white polyamide skeleton dress that “evokes the moment of free fall and brings to mind a hybrid skeleton”
taking inspiration from Michael Hansmeyer's algorithmic sculpture, Iris collaborated with Eragatory to create a 3D printed white polyamide skeleton dress that “evokes the moment of free fall and brings to mind a hybrid skeleton”
reverse opening cardigan jacket by Thom Browne for s/s 2018
the show told the tales of two sleeping twins, Jean Marie and Mary Beth where dreamscapes and fantasies were brought to life in tulle and crystals
the show told the tales of two sleeping twins, Jean Marie and Mary Beth where dreamscapes and fantasies were brought to life in tulle and crystals
“Rave in a Cemetery” by Alessandro Michele for Gucci cruise 2019
similar to McQueen's 1998 collection, Michele's cruise heavily referenced death, afterlife and Memento Mori. walked the runway was a velvet gown w a skeleton thorax embroidered on the bodice inspired by an ossuary.
similar to McQueen's 1998 collection, Michele's cruise heavily referenced death, afterlife and Memento Mori. walked the runway was a velvet gown w a skeleton thorax embroidered on the bodice inspired by an ossuary.
