With the appearance of the first novel of the world, novels are perceived as a source of inspiration, continuously feeding various artistic and practical areas, including the world of fashion and style, with its surprise, strangeness, and renewal, from which they draw their inspiration for creating the best clothing from personalities and events envisioned by the writers in their novels in the last two centuries.
The international book exhibition Shardzhi, presenting its 43rd edition this year under the title "Thus We Begin," emphasizing that everything - be it a task, idea, or project - begins with a book. Here we examine five of the most famous titles of world novels that inspired fashion designers to create the most exquisite clothing, which can be seen at the exhibition.
"Frankenstein" and inspiration The novel by Mary Shelley "Frankenstein" is considered one of the most significant works, leaving a deep mark on English literature. Many fashion designers draw inspiration for their collections from the gothic atmospheres and principal visions of this novel. The monster persona appeared in the designs of the Prada brand, which placed its image on its shirts. Also, world-renowned designer Alessandro Michele for the Gucci collection fall-winter 2018 drew aesthetic and plot elements from "Frankenstein," which led to the creation of a captivating clothing collection, evidently inspired by the novel itself.
"Alice in Wonderland" and the world of childhood The second novel, which left a vivid mark on the world of fashion and style, - "Alice in Wonderland," which visitors may see in various editions at the exhibition. The novel inspired many designers to create collections with their own magical style "Alice," containing shades of childhood and bright colors, as well as fabrics reflecting the spirit of the fantastical. The house of Dior was also inspired by the novel and presented a collection based on symbolic elements, such as clocks and hares, to embody this strange journey into the land of wonders.
"The Great Gatsby" and "Anna Karenina" When it comes to luxurious elegant clothing, returning us to the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, we see that many fashion brands and their designers found inspiration in two great literary works. The first is F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby," inspiring Ralph Lauren and Chanel to create collections influenced by the atmospheres of the novel, produced in the twenties of the last century. The American novel "Anna Karenina" by Lev Tolstoy inspired many fashion houses in America and Russia to create collections of classic clothing, inspired by the characters of the novel, reflecting the atmosphere of the Russian aristocratic society of the 19th century.
"Madame Bovary" by Gustave Flaubert The fifth work, which has had a huge impact on French models, striving to create refined, bold, and elegant women's clothing, - the novel "Madame Bovary" by Gustave Flaubert. Thanks to the events of the novel, designers at the houses of Dior and Valentino saw how women of aristocratic backgrounds wore themselves in French provinces at the turn of the 19th century, and developed a clothing collection based on luxurious fabrics, corsets, and opulent sleeves, symbolizing luxury and exclusivity.
