ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Fashion Designers Embrace Tarot as Creative and Spiritual Tool

exhibition · 2026-06-22

Gabriela Hearst incorporates daily tarot readings into her creative process, interpreting the Ace of Cups as a symbol of self-love. Her spring 2026 show featured the 22 Major Arcana cards. Christian Dior consulted tarot during WWII when his sister was imprisoned. Maria Grazia Chiuri used tarot motifs at Dior since her 2017 debut. The Morgan Library & Museum presents "Tarot! Renaissance Symbols, Modern Visions," covering the 15th-century Visconti-Sforza deck and contemporary uses. Curator Claire Gilman notes tarot revivals occur during instability. Daniel Lee used Rider-Waite-Smith imagery for Burberry spring 2026. Colleen Allen referenced Leonora Carrington's surrealist cards for fall 2025. Dior's Jonathan Anderson and Celine's Michael Rider consult tarot reader Trevor Ballin, a Celine designer. Ballin links tarot to fashion storytelling.

Key facts

  • Gabriela Hearst began daily tarot readings before her spring 2026 show.
  • Hearst's spring 2026 collection depicted all 22 Major Arcana cards.
  • Christian Dior used tarot during WWII when his sister Catherine was imprisoned at Ravensbrück.
  • Maria Grazia Chiuri incorporated tarot into Dior's spring 2017 debut and spring 2021 couture.
  • The Morgan Library exhibition 'Tarot! Renaissance Symbols, Modern Visions' includes the Visconti-Sforza deck.
  • The Visconti-Sforza deck is split between the Morgan Library and Accademia Carrara in Bergamo.
  • Daniel Lee used Rider-Waite-Smith deck iconography for Burberry spring 2026.
  • Colleen Allen channeled Leonora Carrington's tarot cards for fall 2025.
  • Jonathan Anderson and Michael Rider consult tarot reader Trevor Ballin.
  • Trevor Ballin is a designer at Celine.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

Locations

  • New York
  • Bergamo
  • Italy
  • United States

Sources

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