xEquestrian Inspired Fashion

The aesthetics of equestrian sport have had a significant impact on the evolution of style and image in fashion. The appearance of trousers in women's everyday wardrobes is perhaps one of the most memorable fashion historical phenomena. The writer Georges Sand wore trousers in the nineteenth century and is regarded as the originator of this trend. She did, however, sympathize with the general public, and the widespread adoption of trousers into women's wardrobes occurred only in the twentieth century. There is a curious story about Coco Chanel, whose life was somehow linked to horses. Nearly all of her romantic relationships were with passionate horseback riders. One day, Gabrielle borrowed a jumper from a groom and wore it over her dress because it was frigid at the races. She saw the jockeys as they were in training and noted their leather jackets. After a while, she began to introduce her own designs in the resort Chanel's boutique display, including light coats, loose sailors' jackets, and soft leather jackets like those worn by jockeys. Once, Coco Chanel got the opportunity to live a year-long at a country estate. She spent the day riding horses and the evenings attending social gatherings. Coco went to the tailor armed with the jockey's pants after deciding that the dress was uncomfortable for riding the horse. That is how the trousers came to be an essential part of a lady's wardrobe. The Hermès aesthetic is always reminiscent of horses and equestrian sports; the house logo, created in the 1950s, is a horse-drawn buggy for a reason. Horses appear on the brand's ties, scarves, and silk carriages, and its clothing almost always includes leather elements with recognizable equestrian stylings. In the nineteenth century, Thierry Hermès established a horse harness workshop that catered primarily to European nobility. Hermès expanded its product line to include saddlebags toward the end of the century, and in 1900 it developed a special bag for riders designed to carry a saddle. Then came the jewelry, women's clothing collections, accessories, perfumes, scarves, and everything else we love about the brand today. By the way, the prototype for the brand's most famous Kelly bag, designed in 1935, is said to be shaped like this because it was inspired by the form of a saddlebag. Another iconic example from the fashion world connected with the equine aesthetic is the Italian House of Gucci. Many of us have probably seen loafers or a handbag with a horsebit, the Gucci house's signature detail and symbol. Guccio Gucci founded the global brand in 1921, when he opened a small leather manufactory in Florence to produce leather bags, suitcases, horse harnesses, and riding accessories. Later, he began producing riding clothes, which quickly gained popularity among Europe's top riders. Back to those times, everyone was interested in Grace Kelly and her marriage to the Prince of Monaco. Grace enjoyed horseback riding as well as silk garments and scarves. The legend claims that she knew a dozen different ways to tie a scarf, one of which was named after her. In 1966, she asked for a floral-patterned scarf from Rodolfo Gucci, who forwarded the request to his top artist, Vittorio Accornero. Vittorio designed the Floral print, which is still seen in Gucci collections almost every year. A silk scarf can transform any outfit, even a formal one, and add a unique and eye-catching accent to the look. Today, we'd like to share some tips and tricks for incorporating elegant equine aesthetics into a casual lady’s wardrobe by adding a silk scarf. Katerina Morgan, the artist and founder of Horse Polo Art Gallery, will assist us.