The strong gaze, the distinctive eyebrows, the dresses and the elaborate hairstyles: these are the characteristic that we immediately associate with Frida Kahlo.
She is probably one of the most recognizable female artist in the history. What makes this Mexican artist so special are not only her painting skills. Frida was not only an artist, but also a feminist and style icon.
Kahlo used to wear a traditional Mexican dress. She showed the world that it’s okay to be proud to be a woman. Kahlo really understood the power of image. She spent hours in front of the mirror.
Embroidered dresses, the flowers in her hair and bold, beautiful jewels speak of a woman who dressed to please no one but herself.
She was one of the first women to use fashion to broadcast a feminist message of independence!!
In relation to fashion her colorful art and her very own style of Mexican folk attire is still admired today. Some of the most renown magazines, editors and photographers have taken a page from Frida’s personal wardrobe to produce the most beautiful and exotic editorials.
Karlie Kloss photo by Mario Testino for Vogue, July 2012
Vogue Mexico, April 2011
Agnes Sokolowska as Frida Kahlo photographed for Amica magazine’s May 2013 edition
She’s also been a major point of inspiration for fashion designers: her influence rippling through the work of designers including Dolce and Gabbana.
Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2018
In relation to fashion her colorful art and her very own style of Mexican folk attire is still admired today. Folklore is taking over for 2017.
Folk Vibes
Coach Fall/Winter 2017
In high fashion, Kahlo’s influence can be felt in the maximalist of Alessandro Michele’s heady Gucci aesthetic. For Autumn/Winter 2017 that meant florals and bold bows, ruffles and clashing, all in keeping with Kahlo’s love of excess; rings, flowers and embroidery.
The designer of Roland Mouret is inspired by the women such as Frida Kahlo and Georgie O’Keeffe. His collection Spring/Summer 2018 is about pleated dresses and floral silk skirts. “It starts with the plaster corsets of Frida Kahlo, so it’s the idea of working on the upper body which is compartmentalized and after how the body reacts all round. It’s a woman who doesn’t have any shame in being a woman”, has explained the designer.
Beyonce transformed into Mexican artist Frida Kahlo for Halloween 2014
Written by: Irini Meçe
