What makes a great artist? Well, fashion of course.
The style muse of 2018 actually passed away over 60 years ago, but that doesn’t stop people from idolising her. Frida Kahlo may have been born in 1907, but her distinctive style appears to be influencing fashion (and especially gallery girls) more than ever this year. The forward-thinking Mexican artist, who is famous for her powerful self-portraits, is being celebrated not only in the art world but on the catwalk and now across a mainstream audience too.
What is better in Art Entertainment than a bit of fashion?
Her trademark looks are instantly recognizable in a quick glance. The over the top flower headbands, frills, lace, her mono-brow and plaits, beautiful scarfs, daring jewellery, bold patterns and embroidered dresses. Frida didn’t dress this way only for a fashion statement though but crafted her looks to also become political statements, referencing her identity and dual heritage.
Art and Fashion Collaborations are at its best when it comes to Frida. In high fashion, Kahlo’s influence can be felt on the catwalks from Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga and Burberry, in flashes of hot pinks, lace, and floral prints. Her boxy, mannish tailoring which she wore to challenge the social norms on femininity inspired Céline and Isabel Marant. Designer Roland Mouret recently dedicated his S/S 18 catwalk show to her, Beyoncé chose to dress as her for Halloween and earlier this year Snapchat even rolled out a Frida filter. Furthermore, the V&A even dedicated an entire exhibition to explore how this significant artist fashioned her identity. Not forgetting the strong brow trend of 2018 which must have had something to do with Kahlo! We always love seeing famous artists’ work represented in fashion.
Here we celebrate 5 of our favourite looks of this most famous artist who saw her clothing as an extension of her art and as a way to tell stories.
Text by Peigi Mackillop
