Ancient Egypt has been a source of inspiration for many creatives across industries… in the field of fashion, many designers have used ancient Egyptian civilization as their muse as far back as the 1990s. Drawing from the patterns, colors, and symbols prominently featured in the culture.
Here are four international designers that found inspiration in ancient Egypt for their collections, according to an article on the “Egyptian Streets” website.
CHANEL
Chanel’s 2018/2019 Métiers D’art Collection which took place at the New York Metropolitan Museum was unveiled against the backdrop of a reconstructed ancient Egyptian temple set up just for the collection.
Using features symbolic of the civilization with Chanel looks emblematic of the brand, the collection was made up of intricate designs that saw a whole set of professionals including embroiderers, feather-workers, fabric weavers, and show-makers, among others work together to bring it to life.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
While not a full collection inspired by ancient Egypt, British designer Alexander McQueen’s Fall 2007 Ready-to-Wear line drew inspiration from different, seemingly unrelated, periods and events in time. One of these was ancient Egypt.
Having discovered a connection between folk culture found in communities of the early British immigrants to the Americas and ancient Egypt, McQueen used elements reminiscent of the ancient civilization in a few items featured in the line.
ZUHAIR MURAD
For his Spring 2020 collection, Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad sought to emulate the power of women in ancient Egypt. The designer created a line using symbolism from that period.
The designs, many of which were made with sequins, featured gowns illustrating deities, and several depictions paying homage to the ancient civilization.
Murad’s designs are worn by international celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and Kerry Washington, among others.
CHRISTIAN DIOR
Christian Dior’s Spring 2004 Couture show drew its inspiration from creative director John Galliano’s trip to Egypt.
Having done an aerial tour of Luxor, Aswan, and Cairo, reinterpretations of the trip found their way into the collection with a medley of gold leaf, lapis lazuli, and coral beadings that were featured in the pieces. Many of the pieces paid homage to Nefertiti, King Tut, hieroglyphics, and everything in between.
Part of the collection included jewelry molded into shapes representative of ancient Egypt, such as scarabs. In ancient Egypt, the scarab is an emblem of rebirth. That is because Egyptians would replace the heart of the departed with an amulet representing a kheper (beetle).
