The Art of Fashion - Hardcover

by Michael Goldschmidt (Author)

A captivating visual exploration of fashion and modern style as seen through the eyes of artists across the globe

Author Michal Goldschmidt examines over 50 artworks created in Britain over the last century and a half, revealing how fashion has served as both subject and medium. Whether used to signal status, provoke commentary, or reflect cultural shifts, clothing in art has always carried meaning--sometimes overt, sometimes coded.

This book deciphers those meanings and shows how artists have used fashion to shape narratives, challenge norms, and reflect the spirit of their times.

Readers will discover unexpected connections, such as the influence of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood on the founding of Liberty department store, or how Burberry's trench coats became visual shorthand for wartime resilience in First World War paintings. The book also explores how fashion itself has borrowed from art, turning canvases into catwalks and brushstrokes into branding.

Beautifully designed and deeply researched, The Art of Fashion is ideal for readers interested in fashion history, art criticism, and cultural studies. It's a compelling reminder that style is never just surface--it's a language, a legacy, and a living archive of who we are.

Fashion and art have always shared a canvas--this book reveals how they've painted each other for over 150 years.

Author Biography

Michal Goldschmidt is an Assistant Curator of Modern British Art at Tate Britain.