Artemisia Gentileschi at Paris Fashion Week?

Posted on by The Wandering Art Historian

When I read that a major fashion house was debuting a line of clothing inspired by the artist Artemisia Gentileschi and her work, I was SO excited! I was eager to see how the designer had incorporated the iconic elements of Gentileschi’s work into something for modern audiences. Would there be billowing fabrics or dramatic lines or a bold use of color, especially the “Artemisia Gold” so beloved by fans and art historians alike? The possibilities were seemingly endless!

When I finally saw Chloe’s Fall Winter 2023 2024 collection debut at Paris Fashion Week I was disappointed, to say the least. I saw little to no influence of Gentileschi’s work in the clothing itself and I struggled to see the “philosophy” or the female empowerment vibe of Artemisia as well. One might argue that simply including famous and popular quotes by the artist (such as “I will show your lordship what a woman can do.”) is enough to invoke some sort of feminist response, but I have to disagree.

All the clothes are obviously crafted with the highest quality and technical skill, but they do not feel “feminist” or female-empowering or even all that innovative. There was absolutely no color save for one final dress that looked neither like Artemisia Gentileschi’s work nor the time period during which she lived.

And that is a sticking point I need to address. The designer’s insistence that Artemisia Gentileschi was a Renaissance painter is a real bee in my art historical bonnet. Gentileschi was a Baroque painter and a quick Google search will reveal that simple fact within seconds.

What are your thoughts on Chloe’s Fall Winter 2023 2024 collection? Am I being too hard on the designer? What would you have liked to see from an Artemisia Gentileschi-inspired fashion line?

For more on this collection, please check out the links below…

https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/chloe-fall-2023-ready-to-wear-renaissance-artist-artemisia-gentileschi-1234659589/

https://www.lofficielibiza.com/ibiza/chloe-fashion-show-autumn-winter-2023-2024-photos-images-look

4 thoughts on “Artemisia Gentileschi at Paris Fashion Week?”

  1. Adrienne, You asked thoughts = You are correct & perfectly describe the incorrect use of Artemesia artistic flair with color and design. Fashions you show for new designer’s collection are “color blocking” and if refer to any artist it would be Mondrian! OR no artist’s design, but copied a race car flag! 

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  2. I love this article and how the designer played with geometrical shapes to design these garments. I created a review on Paris Fashion Week on my blog if you want to check it out, I think it will interest you xx
    Have a nice day!

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The Wandering Art Historian's avatar
I am writer and artist with a degree in art history who loves to talk to people about art. I have spent the last seven years building up The Wandering Art Historian “brand” as a way to connect with people who want to learn more about art. I give lectures and presentations and teach classes and host book club discussions with a creative or artistic connection. I also write about local artists, events, museums, and exhibitions to promote the arts in Central Florida. In 2021, I had a creative crisis. I struggled with authenticity in the art making process. I decided to make myself vulnerable and find out what a real, genuine Adrienne H. Lee artwork would look like. The process was challenging and emotional and revelatory. I learned that if necessity is the mother of invention, then authenticity is the mother of reinvention. I reinvented myself and learned an entirely new medium. The resulting artwork surprised me, and it will surprise you, too. Some people wish for a fairytale ending. For me, the fairy tale is only the beginning.