Dezeen Magazine

Viktor & Rolf turns Van Gogh artworks into sculptural haute-couture garments

The expressive landscapes of Vincent van Gogh provided the visual cues for giant 3D flowers and enormous straw hats in Dutch fashion house Viktor & Rolf's Spring Summer 2015 haute-couture collection (+ slideshow).

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

During the Paris Fashion Week show yesterday, Viktor & Rolf presented A-line dresses with floral patterns and appliquéd petals that were inspired by the Dutch impressionist's paintings.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

"The essence of the countryside is translated into unexpected, sculptural looks that combine abstract graphic volumes with organic elements," said the designers.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

The show began with the most demure outfits, featuring black flowers outlined on white babydoll dresses. These were worn with straw boater hats with stalks extended from their brims.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

Every outfit shown in the Van Gogh Girls collection was more elaborate than the one before, with silhouettes becoming more dramatic and pastel tones introduced.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

The hats also gained size and volume, with longer strands arranged into different splayed forms or woven into intricate patterns.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

Gradually the two-dimensional flower motifs were turned into 3D adornments on the edges and shoulders of the dresses.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

For one design, the dark outlines extended out of the skirt into a delicate open lace that joined the horizontal lengths of straw emanating from the hat.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

The headgear and dresses continued to merge, as colours became more intense and the decorative fabric flowers reached further from the garments.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

White hems interwoven with thick black ribbon accompanied the floral embellishments, paired with sandals in matching prints.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

Bright summer hues gave way to earthy autumnal tones, culminating in a final look where the dress itself curved out to become integrated with the giant straw headpiece.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

All of the fabrics were wax-dyed and block-printed using a batik technique by Dutch fabric company VLISCO.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

"This ensures an unique high quality print with craquelé indigo lines and intense vibrant colours on both sides of the cloth," the designers said.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

After the show, art collector Han Nefkens acquired three of the pieces for the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in the Netherlands.

Viktor&Rolf haute couture Spring Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week

This year's season of haute-couture shows also saw the return of disgraced fashion designer John Galliano, who debuted his comeback collection for Maison Martin Margiela in London.