In celebration of the centenary of surrealism, Clara Colette Miramon has unveiled her first runway show, “Nesting,” which pays homage to the often overlooked women of the surrealist movement. Miramon draws inspiration from three influential figures of 1930s Paris—Dorothea Tanning, Meret Oppenheim, and Leonor Fini—each of whom left an indelible mark on the movement. The collection is deeply rooted in the surrealist tradition, blending the outrageous personalities and the unique mix of beauty and terror that these artists embodied.
Clara Colette Miramon’s Nesting: A Modern Twist on Surrealist Femininity
Miramon’s exploration of femininity offers a modern twist on the enigmatic allure of the surrealist era. The collection, centered on dreams and distortions, echoes the artistic production of her muses. Tanning’s provocative soft sculptures find new life in garments adorned with trimmed faux fur and crafted from printed mesh. The padded skeleton look reinterprets a dress originally made for Elsa Schiaparelli by Oppenheim, evolving from her iconic sculptures. Fini’s fascination with taxidermy is reflected in the use of rat imagery throughout the collection, transforming an animal often seen as repulsive into an object of beauty.
Surrealist-Inspired Fashion: Virgin and Rat Girl Dichotomy
On the runway, Miramon explores a dichotomy of femininity through the personas of the “virgin” and the “rat girl.” The “virgin” represents purity and innocence, dreaming of a rebellious world, while the “rat girl” exudes glamour, strength, and confidence. This duality is depicted through layers of organza draped over denim, creating a dreamlike veil that blurs the lines of reality. The designs juxtapose delicate ruffles with structured corsets and suits, further emphasizing this tension. The organza fabrics, veiling the denim, contribute to the surreal, otherworldly feel of the collection.
Dorothea Tanning Fashion Tribute and Meret Oppenheim Inspired Collection
“Nesting” delves into themes of femininity, female sexuality, and friendship, capturing the paradoxes of being a woman. By addressing the contrasts between purity and rebellion, Miramon’s collection offers a poignant tribute to the surrealist women who have shaped our understanding of art and femininity. Through her innovative designs, Miramon honors their legacy, presenting a collection that is both a celebration and a reimagining of their contributions to surrealism.
