Fashion Imitates Art

For a century, l’Officiel has chronicled the birth of a new concept within its lush fashion focus: art as lifestyle

- Piper Mcdonald & Tori Nergaard

Some may reject the notion that an object meant to be consumed could be considered art. However, there is no denying that a beautifully constructed garment created by the hands of a couturier can elicit the same response as that from a masterwork of art. In the space of the French fashion magazine, which holds the identity of la Parisienne so close to its heart, we often imagine fashion and art as one.

Founded in Paris in 1921, L’Officiel emerged at a significant moment in fashion history. The artification of the designer and the influence of art movements on fashion were becoming increasingly prevalent through the work of couturiers like Paul Poiret and Elsa Schiaparelli. Originally defining itself as an industry-specific publication, L’Officiel increasingly began including features on artists and artistic movements. By the latter half of the 20th century, art had become an integral part of the magazine.

L’Officiel captured the zeitgeist of many burgeoning artistic movements through its coverage of artists like Tsuguharu Foujita, Marc Chagall, and Jean Cocteau. However, as fashion and art evolved throughout the 20th century, the magazine’s connection to the art world became far more conceptual, moving beyond simple exhibition coverage and artist profiles to fashion editorials with an artful perspective.