From runways to hallways, galleries and stages, the threads we wear weave together communities, identities and tastes.

The art of dress

Fashion sits at a unique crossroads in popular culture. It’s everywhere; sometimes dismissed as vanity or consumerism, sometimes elevated to couture or hung behind museum glass, fashion surrounds us in everything we do or see.

To understand the art of fashion is to trace it from runways to museums and university halls, to the studios of designers and closets of people around the globe. Across all of these contexts, fashion is a constant creative conversation.

From runways to galleries

Fashion designers shape the world of haute couture, producing and showcasing garments defined by impeccable craftsmanship and fine materials. The artistic elements of haute couture lie in the concepts and construction of the garments in collections. These details often shape fashion culture, popular discourse and designers’ reputations.

On the runway, models bring couture to life. Tom Ford’s collections play with structure and rigidity to create pieces that redefine the sensual. Creative director Haider Ackermann uses couture to help distinct concepts come to life on the runway. In his Winter ‘26 collection, for instance, Ackermann’s pieces add to the public discourse on seduction, bringing characters of all ages and perspectives to the runway.

Dutch designer Iris van Herpen creates garments resembling 3-D sculptures. From extended organic shapes with flowing movements to futuristic metallic parts, her designs are a prime example of haute fashion as art.

On display within museums, garments also take on immense significance and artistic value. Sometimes, the garment itself is the center of the display. For example, historical garments can represent humanity and culture, telling stories of gender roles and class conditions. Represented in other mediums like paintings, film and sculpture, fashion helps shape the identity of its subjects.

In the REDress project by artist Jaime Black, the artistic exhibition of clothing aids in creating awareness for missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada. Similarly, other projects intentionally slow the production of clothing in protest of the exploitation associated with fast fashion and mass consumption.

Fashionable Canes

 Every day, Canes grace the University of Miami hallways with stylish outfits. For many Canes, even the seemingly mundane act of getting dressed is a reflection of artistry and personal style.

“Putting together outfits every day is a form of art,” said UM junior Kona Schargel. “It’s all about intention. When I put on clothes, I’m creating something; trying to evoke a feeling … Even when you aren’t doing any of the sewing or weaving yourself, the act of putting it all together is enough.”

Personal style and fashion go beyond just helping individuals showcase their tastes and style. They also shape cultures and help create interpersonal connections.

“I love talking with random people about their clothes; it’s an unmatched friendship tech. There’s many people on campus walking around with really fly stuff, and I’ve made some incredible friends just by going up to say how cool they’re dressed,” said Schargel.

In the eyes of Ayesha Ghosh, a UM junior studying modern artist development and entrepreneurship, personal style also interacts deeply with artistic expression.

“It is a medium for me to be creative and playful and express my inner self,” said Ghosh. “I love creating looks that feel colorful and beautiful, that sparkle and flow when I move, and that incorporate Indian elements.”

Style allows for daily art through choosing and combining different pieces to create outfits that feel personal. But is clothing still artistic even when the outfit isn’t necessarily curated?

Your personal style and closet curation may still reflect artistry. A garment’s print, silhouette and construction still carry design intention and skill, regardless of how it is worn. Artistry is even woven into the stitches of clothes made by workers the industry may label as “unskilled,” especially in the realm of fast, cheap fashion.

This label is part of how fast fashion justifies underpaying employees to increase profits. Recognizing the art and labor of construction, even in fast fashion, is essential to transforming the power dynamics of clothing production.

Sustainable fashion

The art of daily fashion is shaped by the increasingly urgent need to contribute to a sustainable future. As the industry adjusts to lessen its environmental impact while cutting costs, sustainability has become a crucial part of the creative equation.

Walk through a UThrift pop-up on campus, and you’ll find these artistic instincts on display as people dig through second-hand pieces. To go a step further, attend one of UThrift’s monthly general body meetings where you may have the opportunity to create sustainable art.

Common threads

Across a variety of contexts, fashion keeps its purpose. Like every other form of art, fashion turns the personal and intangible into something visible and physical. Whether it’s a designer on the cutting edge of haute couture or a UM student choosing an outfit for class, fashion remains one of the few art forms everyone participates in, whether they mean to or not.

words_ rosibel mercedes. photo_manuela mesa. illustration_annamarie andrews. design_rachel pares & cayla quintero.

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