This week’s Fashion Inspired by Art features some cozy looks inspired by iconic Greek sculptures. Keep on reading for three outfits to kick-start this autumn season!

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About Hellenistic Art

Art historians loosely constrain the Hellenistic time period from 323-30 BCE. The art style, following the famous Classical era of Greek art, was a dramatic step in the direction of realism. 

Unlike Classical styles of art (dating roughly from 480-320 BCE), where sculptors rendered demure forms to the height of perfection and canon of beauty, Hellenistic art featured the everyday person. Though several Hellenistic sculptures still maintained idealized bodies, themes of old age and disheveled appearances appeared more frequently than in the Classical era. Common subject matter involved Greek deities and everyday townspeople.

Look #1: Nike of Samothrace

Products: Dress (left), Dress (right), Coat, Flats, Earrings, Nail Polish

An unknown artist sculpted Nike of Samothrace (or Winged Victory of Samothrace) between roughly 200-190 BC. The photos above are of the original, a headless and armless marble statue of the goddess Nike. Her form was possibly meant to sit at the prow of a ship, wings outstretched majestically, conveying a sense of triumph. With the effect of wet drapery, Nike’s chiton billows around her legs haphazardly.

For this first outfit, I found several dresses that mimic the flow of Nike’s garment. For this ensemble as well as the rest of the outfits below, I stuck to a neutral-to-grey color palette, keeping the statue’s marble exterior in mind. Whimsical winged accessories, like these jeweled earrings, give the simple outfit a point of interest.