The fashion world was blown away last week by Givenchy’s Fall 2010 couture collection shown in Paris. Riccardo Tisci, the designer behind the extravagantly ornate collection, was inspired by the life of Frido Kahlo and her obsessions with “religion, sensuality, and… the human anatomy.” The eerily beautiful skeletal figure is manifested in lace, crystal, and pearl patterns, along with other exotic materials such as ostrich feathers and baboon fur (bleached white!). Needless to say, each piece is simply breathtaking, and the countless hours it took to make them are a true example of the art of couture.

When I first saw the collection I knew it reminded me of something, although I couldn’t quite place it. Then I remembered this drawing called “The Three Brides” by dutch art nouveau artist Jan Toorop:

Kind of similar to the colors and silhouettes of the Givenchy collection, non? I first saw the piece at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta a few years ago and was in awe; it’s quite impressive for just a pencil and crayon drawing that was made way back in 1893! I love the flowing, detailed lines and ghostly shading that was used (see a more detailed view here). If you’re an art nouveau nut like myself, check out a few more works by the artist below: