The Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City has been transformed in a fashion time capsule not for the faint hearted. Kahlo’s home, the Blue House stored for years trunks full of the artist’s clothes, shawls, jewels and accessories and in 2012 they finally see the light of day 58 years after her death.

Together with Vogue Mexico, the Frida Kahlo Museum has collated the most remarkable pieces of the artist’s collection which are so well known to us from her self portraits.

A passionate woman, who suffered greatly both physically and emotionally, her young and optimistic artistic style, with undeniable melancholic undertones for some, is reflected in her fashion choices.

Bright colours, folk skirts and peasant tops heavily embroidered with thick thread as well as oversize jewellery and fantastic footwear constitute the majority of her wardrobe on display in the exhibition.

Frida’s existence was an artistically fruitful one but not a happy one. She was affected by spina bifida and later bed bound for years following an accident, learning to deal with disability. This difficult period in her life was also a turning point as it gave her the opportunity to study both herself in terms of her famed self-portraits and the politics which she grew so close to. 

Her reaction to her unhappy marriage with Diego Riviera, a fellow artist, and the subsequent numerous sexual relationship and experimentations she encountered are in a way reflected by her courageous fashion choices. In a seamless mix between fashion and folk, her style choices are still relevant today.

The exhibition traces how Kahlo’s courage and taste still affect fashion today, from Alexander McQueen to Gwen Stefani. Dolce&Gabbana’s Spring Summer 2013 collection also inadvertedly references the artist’s style, Folk is back, while Frida has never left us.

The exhibition runs from up to the 22^nd November 2013 in Mexico City at the Museo Frida Kahlo.

Credits: Museo Frida Kahlo