Día de los Muertos

Gothic Dark Glamour is an exhibition I attended in 2008 at the Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology). The curator, Valerie Steele, explored various Goth subcultures and the resulting influence on fashion. This dress from John Galliano was my favorite; the designer cited, among others, Día de los Muertos as inspiration (which explains the skull references).  

On a related note, John Galliano’s Fall 2008 collection evokes (in me, anyway) a similar respect for the Mexican holiday. In particular, the building of the set, the celebratory energy from the clothing, music and models, a model mock-reading a letter (perhaps directed to a dead loved one), and the orange-colored set that speaks to marigolds, which are often presented as offerings on Día de los Muertos. As you watch the show, imagine the models’ faces as skulls — get the picture? Here’s part one of that show.