Influence

of Fashion
Upon Architecture
How do the shapes and forms of
architecture relate to fashion?

Isobelle de Podesta

Throughout history clothing and buildings have echoed
each other in form and appearance1

Figure 1 Bridge of Aspiration, The Royal Ballet School, London 2001-03


Fashion can change its trends throughout the different seasons; however, once a building is complete that piece of
architecture is set in its period. Some buildings try to adapt to new trends and change with the times altering their facades
giving them a new image or new outfit as such. Fashion has a nature of being of the moment where as architecture stands
solid, monumental and permanent2 through time.

Leading me to question; how do these two disciplines relate and should architecture be timeless or stylish?

Figure 2 Comme des

Garons, Clustering
Beauty collection
Spring/Summer
1998

When one thinks of something providing the function of shelter and protection the first reaction is to focus upon a structure however
there is a clear symbiotic relationship between fashion and architecture providing both primary functions of shelter and protection.
Their similarities lie with the fact that they both create space and volume3 from materials. Clothing provides the body with a
wearable shelter immediately to the body similarly to architecture providing a framework of shelter to support one within an
environment using panels of fabric that become roofs and walls.4














Figure 3 Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles 1987-2003

Figure 5 Marchesas Fall/Winter 2008 collection

Sources:
- Quinn, Bradley, The Fashion of Architecture, Oxford: Berg, 2003
-

Figure 4 Selfridges Dep. Store, Birmingham, England 1999-20033

Hodge, Brooke & Mears, Patricia. Skin + Bones Parallel Practices in Fashion and Architecture, New York/London: Thames &
Hudson, 2006.

Loos, Adolf, Spoken into the Void Collected essays 1897-1900, Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1982.

1 Skin+Bones: Parallel Practices in Fashion and Architecture, Exhibition Guidebook, Embankment Galleries, Somerset House, 24 April 10th August 2008.

http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/documents/skinbones_exhibition_guide.pdf
2 Skin+Bones: Parallel Practices in Fashion and Architecture, Exhibition Guidebook, Embankment Galleries, Somerset House, 24 April 10th August 2008.
http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/documents/skinbones_exhibition_guide.pdf
3 Skin+Bones: Parallel Practices in Fashion and Architecture, Exhibition Guidebook, Embankment Galleries, Somerset House, 24 April 10th August 2008.
http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/documents/skinbones_exhibition_guide.pdf
4 Quinn, Bradley. The Fashion of Architecture, Oxford: Berg, 2003.