This painting is by an artist named, John Singer Sargent. It is a portrait of a young socialite of the time; Virginie Amele Gautreau titled Madame X. Sargent created the painting in 1984, for the period it was seen as quite a scandalous image and a risque way of presenting an image of a woman. The dress accentuating her curves, a low cut bodice revealing cleavage and also the way she is stood.
These days, an image like this would just pass us by compared to say the current Calvin Klein Jeans advertisement with Lara Stone for example.
But it was this very painting that inspired possibly one of my favourite Dior collections. Autumn/Winter 2008 Couture was a marvel when it came to unique design. John Galliano, chief designer for Dior at the time really did excel himself in my eyes. He was also inspired by another painter, also of a risque nature for his time, Gustav Klimt. Well known for the painting 'The Kiss' which shows two lovers entwined in one another surrounded by luxurious and rich colours and patterns. I'd say from first glance it was Sargent's portrait that inspired the shapes and styles of the garments for the A/W collection and Klimt's kiss that is responsible for the colour pallet and fabrics used as his work looks far more luxurious and pleasing to the eye when it comes to succesful fashion design.
So! Now you have had a little art lesson, here's the final designs as it were! It's amazing once you know what is behind a designers collection how easy it is to notice elements within the collection, so it would be interesting to know if you see what I see as they say! Being a bit of geek has never felt so chic in my eyes when researching into a little Dior.
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