The relationship between art and fashion is way closer than you could imagine. It’s a symbiotic relationship where both have found inspiration from each other. Many fashion designers have turned their sights to art for inspiration to create outstanding pieces; we have endless examples of these adaptations from canvas to fabric like Alexander McQueen’s Klimt inspired dress or Yves Saint Laurent and Hermès’ Mondrian collections. This sounds like the most natural relationship, right? But if you think about it, fashion and beautiful clothes have also inspired great artists like Renoir, Degas’ multiple ballerinas, or Alphonse Mucha’s Art Nouveau posters that capture the impressive fashion statements of the time. The swirling combination of these two disciplines has inspired me to collect some looks that were inspired by the iconic art of the Austrian artist, Egon Schiele.
Together with Klimt, Picasso, and Dalí, Schiele is one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. Although his impressive career abruptly ended his untimely death, he proved to be an extremely prolific artist with a mature vision of art and he set a unique style that would inspire the Expressionist movement in Germany. His highly erotic works featuring distorted characters with an uncensored conception of sexuality, combined with his particular usage of colors and intense contoured lines, turned him into one of the most defiant artists of all times. If you consider yourself a true art lover, see how you can add a twinge of Schiele’s essence in your everyday wardrobe.
On the Beach, Moonlight (1907)
As one of Schiele’s early works, this painting doesn’t have the characteristic features we’re used to; however, it does show the fierce attitude of his female protagonist. You can recreate this early painting with a green, textured, pleated skirt combined with a solid top. Remember, the attitudes he portrayed are some of his most valuable features. Be fierce and confident, like Schiele’s subjects.
Standing Girl in a Plaid Garment (1909)
Schiele was a huge admirer of Gustav Klimt, who basically became his mentor and one of his best friends. At the start, Schiele would show some similarities with his teacher’s art, and this particular drawing is one of them. The fabric slightly covering the woman resembles Klimt’s ornamental attires (like the man’s clothing in The Kiss); however, it already shows his particular distorted figures, like the hands and the fingers. One great way to resemble this style is by choosing a loose plaid dress to give the impression of fluidity.
Moa (1911)
As I mentioned before, another characteristic of Schiele’s art that makes him unique is his use of color. Most of his work ranges in a neutral palette with cream, beige, brown, and yellowish tones. To these basic colors, he always added one or a couple contrasting colors to create a highlight effect. You can follow this color usage in your outfits by selecting neutral colors and just one statement piece with contrasting colors, or even a dress with bright colors, like the one in his painting, combined with solid accessories.
Portrait of Miss Waerndorfer (1913)
His art wasn’t only revolutionary and groundbreaking in terms of the bold themes he depicted. He also proved to be quite innovative in the fashion area. For instance, many of his protagonists wore garments that were not that common at his time and that we kind of use nowadays. Just take a look at this portrait and the highly modern blouse Miss Waerndorfer is wearing.
Standing Girl in a Blue Dress and Green Stockings (1913)
Schiele’s eroticism doesn’t lie on the sexually charged postures of his subjects or on their nudity, but rather, on their attitudes and actions. I mean, how erotic is this particular image of a woman who is undressing and with her back turned to the viewer? If you want to adapt this painting into your style, consider a blue dress with a deep back cleavage, and don’t forget the stockings!
Portrait of Friederike Maria Beer (1914)
Friederike Maria Beer was an aristocratic young woman in love with the artistic world of the time. Wanting to be immortalized, she asked the best artists of her country to portray her, including some of the most prominent ones, like Klimt, Kokoschka, and, naturally, Schiele. Known for her extravagant fashion style, all of these artists captured her with extremely colorful garments. You can look for a dress like the one above and combine it with neutral accessories. The dress isn’t the protagonist, you are.
The Green Stocking (1914)
In this particular painting, he has two bright colors competing for our attention. The woman wearing the luxurious orange dress is seducing the viewer with her gaze as she slowly puts on, or perhaps removes, the bright green stocking. She is inviting the spectator into her world through her textures and bright clothes. Tulle or sheer fabrics are so fashionable nowadays and are actually great in creating this puffy and voluminous figure. Add a turquoise accessory to create that contrasting color palette that pays homage to this particular painting.
Portrait of Edith Schiele (1915)
Schiele’s wife was one of her main protagonists, especially at the end of his life, when both were infected with the Spanish fl, which ended up killing them. Here, Edith is wearing a beautiful dress filled with many colors; as I said, these were not as common at the time, but more of an artistic license. Recreating this amazing dress can be very fashionable if you find a striped item with a simple cut.
Seated Woman with Bent Knee (1917)
This one is probably one of his most famous paintings: the intriguing woman leaning her head over her knee. The modern essence it conveys makes her timeless, especially her outfit, which you could actually see on the streets. The main element of the painting is the emerald green blouse combined with her bright red hair. Of course, you don’t have to dye your hair; a nice green tank top or shirt with black pants or leggings will work perfectly.
Capturing the essence of an artist and adapting it into fashion doesn’t necessarily mean to copy the elements of the painting or getting the exact same garments, but analyzing the color schemes, textures, and attitudes of their work. These looks can work as a first approach to Schiele’s timeless and defiant art; play with them and recreate his works with your own personal style.
