Nefertiti: Inspiring Fashion
Dior’s Fashion collection in 2004 featured John Galliano’s take on Ancient Egypt, and unlike the posts before it that largely look head-wraps and colors as the main inspiration, it is here, that the culture of Egypt is recaptured with awe and fantasy.
The selected images emphasize yellow tones, coral, peach, gold and deep violet, mixed with heavy drapery, billowing skirts, beads, bows and feathers that showcases the spirit of Nefertiti as a gift.
In an interview with Nick Knight, model Erin O’Connor speaks of what it was like to become Nefertiti and her take on Galliano’s appreciation for Ancient Egypt. She exclaims “That’s Nefertiti and a sprinkling of me in there!” The question is posed, how is Nefertiti justly resembled and brought forth in the manner of fashion? “You have to make the appearance worthy,” and research the proud woman your embodying, because on a runway, only a memory is left, and these articles are archived, and hidden away.
In her statement “I had all of this weight on me but had to remain very poised and in control” it is hard not to think back to Nefertiti’s bust that is the base of this poised beauty.
The design of the first dress offered no mobility, the act of movement came only at the beginning of the catwalk. With the gold-beard and crown, and exaggeration of ribbon like detail, she had to stand in a way, pushing her hips forward to support the weight. O’Connor was essentially “relearning how to walk again,” and this time, in Nefertiti fashion.
The below offers a look at the transcendent quality of Galliano’s second Nefertiti look. The difference of skin tone for models in this editorial however, brings forth a question of if it is a choice based on how society relates to white woman and women of color.
