The Met’s Incredible Fortuny Collection!
For inspiration browse the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s incredible collection of original Delphos pleated gowns and textiles,
For inspiration browse the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art’s incredible collection of original Delphos pleated gowns and textiles, and let one of these works of art be an inspiration when you choose a newly created original by Delphi Pleating. Inspired by Fortuny, we have invented our own proprietary method of pleating silk fabric that we think you will love.
Star Wars Meets Fortuny
Handmaiden of Naboo in Star Wars Phantom Menace Episode 1
It’s incredible yet not surprising how influential the creations of Mariano Fortuny and particularly his Delphos gown continue to be, not only in the fashion world but also in pop culture and the entertainment industry.
I came across these images of the costumes created for the characters of the Handmaidens of Naboo, who were Padme Amidala’s handmaidens in the 1999 Star Wars film: Phantom Menace Episode 1.
The Star Wars version of the Fortuny Delphos is a great costume, and pays homage to a great designer and a great garment that continues to inspire fashion designers, costume designers, and the entertainment industry.
What makes this garment so inspirational?
It’s the pleating! The type of pleating Fortuny invented is so original that it totally transforms the fabric into something never seen before.
Compare the gold version of the Delphos costume produced for Phantom Menace vs. the Gold silk dress I produce (below). Look at the flat puddle in the Star Wars version vs. the ruffled edge in the pleating we hand create. Our pleating is probably the tightest, most compact micro pleat available and all with the indicative Fortuny wavy line.
Pleating like the one used in the costume above is a typical commercially available pleat, one that is familiar to almost everyone. Fortuny invented a unique type of micro pleating that had never before been seen, and was only available through him and has never been recreated. He took his secret to pleating to his grave and because of this it is forever unique, forever new to the eye. It never becomes common.
As an effects artist in Los Angeles I worked many years for the great effects artist Stan Winston. When talking about CG and practical effects he often talked about fooling the eye, and how the eye gets bored once it recognizes something familiar. CG technology is constantly changing because it's great the first time but the third time the gag is gone, it looks old, The eye understands the magic trick.
Fortuny never gets old, because no one, until now could effectively reproduce it, and because of that it’s always new to the eye. This is why 100+ years later Fortuny is still inspiring the great fashion and Costume designers of the world.
If you are creating a costume or garment and need silk pleating that doesn’t look common and beautifully re-creates the look of Fortuny. It’s now available in the color of your choice and produced right here in Los Angeles.