4 Designers Recycle Renaissance Fashion Into Their Own

Hello darling! This is kind of different from my normal posts but stay with me. Fashion always comes around whether its from the 90’s or the 70’s. Could you imagine that fashion even comes around all the way from the 15th, 16th, and 17th century? Major fashion designers such as Alberta Ferretti, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, and Chanel have captured the pure elegance of renaissance fashion

Alberta Ferretti

Alberta Ferretti came up with a beautiful collection that captures the lifestyle of the Renaissance. Her shirts capture the elegance of the era by inserting lace, silk, or mohair in  the shirts.  The dresses mimic this by being handcrafted with velvet, chiffon, and silk. These materials make the garments look light, elegant, and effortless. If these outfits were made during the renaissance period they would be associated with the royal reign. There were actually laws that said that people could not wear certain garments unless they were part of the high classes. The silhouettes in this collection are an updated version of the renaissance silhouettes but still includes the clean cuts and patterns found in the renaissance period.

Valentino

Valentino’s 2016 Fall collection incorporates the same renaissance feeling but with a more of a flashy feel. The stunning necklines paired with jeweled and metallic materials in this this collection is definitely one for the record books. One particular thing that is very interesting to this collection is the modern version of the ruff. A ruff is the typical white ruffled fabric you would have seen worn around a neck of a man, woman, or child during the renaissance. Valentino uses this to his advantage and created this stunning black lace ruff for the 21st century. This updated version of the ruff is very similar to a statement necklace or a choker necklace.

Alexander McQueen

Back in the fall of 2013, Alexander McQueen came up with this eye-catching renaissance inspired line. With pears, ruffs, and silhouettes that capture the heart of the renaissance this is certainly a line to look back on. It was evident that this line was inspired from the Tudor and Elizabethan rule through the dramatic fabrics and delicate lace on the gowns. One thing that really captured my attention in this ready to wear show was the theatrical, pearl cages on each model. This a very unique addition to the renaissance look an incorporates one of the most beloved items of the renaissance era… pearls.

Chanel

Also in the fall of 2013, Chanel incorporated both men and women renaissance fashion into the runway. The pairing of both feminine and masculine elements makes this collection incredibly unique because of the range of different styles. The pattern tights men would wear in the renaissance period are paired with extravagant sleeves and feminine corsets. This is also another collection that incorporates the ruff but with feathers. The dress in the middle also incorporates a faux wheel farthingale which was a hoop that would be attached above a woman’s butt underneath a skirt or a dress. By attaching the wheel farthingale it would give the woman an allusion of having a bigger butt. The dress in the middle shows feathers exactly where the wheel farthingale would have been attached.

My favorite renaissance inspired collection would have to be Valentino’s because of the use of metallics and updated ruff. This collect I think includes the renaissance into a modern version perfectly. What collection is your favorite? What do you think about these big name designers recycling the renaissance fashion into their own? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,