The Influence of the Iconography of Joan of Arc on Women's Fashion in the XX and XXI Centuries

Abstract

The article examines the connection between the iconography of Joan of Arc and modern women's fashion through the lens of visual culture. By analyzing artistic depictions, it reveals the key elements of Joan's iconography that significantly influenced the portrayal of women in armor within Western art. Special focus is given to how this motif evolves and is reinterpreted in European fashion from the 20th to the 21st century, using design collections, fashion house shows, and photo shoots as research material. The detailed analysis uncovers not only the continuity of certain visual techniques but also how they adapt to shifting aesthetic and social contexts. Simultaneously, the image of a woman in armor on catwalks and in media is primarily constructed from Joan of Arc's iconography, demonstrating the deep roots of this archetype in Western culture. The study traces the enduring presence of this motif and identifies the mechanisms behind its reinterpretation in modern fashion, shedding light on how medieval cultural archetypes continue to shape visual strategies and images of femininity within the fashion industry.