Fashion's Enduring Odyssey: Classical References in Design

A Vogue visual essay explores how fashion designers have long drawn inspiration from Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey,' anticipating Christopher Nolan's upcoming film adaptation. The article traces classical dress techniques—draping, pleating, twisting, wrapping—through decades of fashion history, from Mariano Fortuny and Henriette Negrin's silk Delphos dresses (circa 1907) to contemporary runways. Designers with Greek heritage, including Jean Dessès, Dimitra Petsa, Sophia Kokosalaki, and Mary Katrantzou, are highlighted. Key figures like Madame Grès (Germaine Émilie Krebs) and Mary McFadden are noted for their fabric manipulation. The essay features garments from houses such as Christian Dior, Gucci, Valentino, and Jean Paul Gaultier, alongside recent looks by Ludovic de Saint Sernin, Francesco Murano, and Di Petsa. Red carpet moments include Zendaya in Schiaparelli and Lupita Nyong'o in Christian Cowan at 'The Odyssey' premiere in 2026. The piece underscores the timeless appeal of Grecian aesthetics in fashion, emphasizing natural body lines over structured corsetry.