By Jenna Mattern

For centuries, nature has acted as a point of inspiration for all kinds of art–especially fashion.

With the rise of environmentalism, eco-friendly and nature-inspired wardrobes are incredibly important. The luxury fashion industry is continuing to rethink its impact on the environment, and finding ways to appreciate and incorporate natural elements into its work.

“It’s a pattern that has been a part of fashion from the start, and is inevitable when it comes to design,” says David Root, assistant fashion designer at Republic Clothing Group.

“The natural world has and always will be a source of inspiration for all creative outlets,” shares Root. “Within recent years I have seen luxury fashion play into nature more as the conversation around our environment and what we are doing to it, expands.”

Root emphasizes the intersections of fashion and the environment, explaining that companies and consumers are digging deeper into the production, manufacturing, and outsourcing of clothing.

The intersections of fashion and nature have become much more prominent in recent years, especially among luxury brands and shows. Many natural elements have made their way onto the runway through various vessels in the past year alone. Here are just some moments in which the natural world impacted the runway, leaving audiences captivated and moved.

Dior
Dior’s Autumn-Winter 2023-2024 Ready-to-Wear Collection featured various homages to naturalistic elements. The show was a redefinition and spin on traditional 1950’s fashion. Many of the dresses featured various mottled floral patterns that “reflect meticulous archival research” Additionally, Dior featured multiple pieces embroidered with a thousand leather flowers.

In Dior’s Autumn-Winter 2023-2024 Haute Couture Show, Dior utilized metallic threads to create abstract floral designs. The set featured intricate mural artwork, with landscapes, animals, and natural elements. Details like these intertwined the naturalist elements used for inspiration to create a powerful line and memorable show.

Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney’s Summer 2024 runway show was an innovative show, featuring sustainable and natural elements that have never been seen before in luxury fashion.

Some of McCartney’s pieces were created from Seaweed fabric, also known as Kelsun. This plant-based fabric was created by Keel Labs, and the material was hand-crocheted and featured in the runway show. McCartney has used similar materials in the past, including Mylo, which is a fungi-based material, used to make handbags.

These groundbreaking initiatives from Stella McCartney emphasize their commitment to sustainability and the incorporation of nature into luxury lines.

Loewe
Loewe’s Spring Summer 2023 Men’s Show was a show that tested the boundary between nature and horticulture.

Loewe partnered with Spanish bio-designer Paula Ulargui Escalona, who worked on creating live plants sprouting from various garments and shoeware.

Vogue reports that the clothing line was a major risk, due to the specific temperatures and right environment that the plants needed to survive and thrive. Designers were constantly ensuring that they were getting enough, light, water, etc.

Fortunately, Loewe’s line was a success and a riveting experience for merging fashion and nature.

Balenciaga
Balenciaga’s Winter 2024 Show, was greatly inspired by natural landscapes across the world, and their choice to incorporate technology and fashion, made for an entertaining and captivating show.

Fast Company reported that the 15-minute show featured “landscapes inspired by Iceland, Greenland, Montana, the Sahara Desert, and the Scottish Highlands.”

As models walked down the runway, the immersive screen lit up with imagery and changed periodically.

Additionally, Balenciaga involved Artificial Intelligence into the mix, further distinguishing itself as a brand that can create a cohesive piece spanning across various fields.

The bigger picture
As the fashion industry evolves, the conversation around sustainability and nature’s role in design will only continue to grow.

Luxury brands are not only embracing natural elements for their beauty. They are recognizing their responsibility in shaping a more environmentally-conscious future.

It seems that nature’s presence on the runway is far from a trend—it’s a lasting evolution in fashion.