Cardboard Ladies

Dame di Cartone, Cardboard Ladies, is a series of portraits where women mimic 17th Century, cubist, and fifties fashions – only they’re wearing dresses made of cardboard and paper instead of fabric! Swiss-Italian photographer Christian Tagliavini takes complete control of the entire creative process, including making the patterns, constructing the outfits, and photographing the subjects. He aims to invent, create, and ultimately produce innovative images that blend fine art and craftsmanship. Just looking at the details, you can see what a labor of love his method truly is.

(via here)

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31 Comments

  1. Fantastic! I love fashion inspired by fairytales and literature.
    I put together this outfit inspired (subtly) by Romeo and Juliet: http://natashafatah.blogspot.ca/2011/12/inspiration-romeo-and-juliet.html

    xoxo
    http://www.natashafatah.blogspot.com

    3.30.12
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  2. Wow amazing! Love the defined structuring!

    http://aurelieandangelo.com/

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  3. kate wrote:

    Haha this is so cool! I thought they were supposed to be playing cards at first…

    3.30.12
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  4. Raheli wrote:

    How fun it must be to create these outfits! It’s kind of like working with life size paper doll clothes. I would love to be a fly on the wall of his studio.

    http://stylepencil.com
    An illustrated fashion blog

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  5. In love..

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  6. Kate wrote:

    omg LOVE. What a great Friday post 🙂

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  7. Nikki wrote:

    I just had to do a double-take at these photographs! It almost looks as if their outfits have been digitally manipulated in to the photos —- absolutely amazing and incredibly detailed!

    3.30.12
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  8. Becky wrote:

    So weird, but cool! I really want to know how they did this. The models almost look like paper dolls.
    –Becky
    http://preppypremed.blogspot.com

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  9. Jessie wrote:

    these photographs are so elegant and beautiful! i love. thank you for sharing.
    xx, http://wordbyjessie.com/

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  10. PSbyDila wrote:

    That’s so amazing!

    http://www.PSbyDila.com

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  11. Kate wrote:

    I love it when art serves as inspiration for projects like this. I can’t even imagine the amount of work that went in to this.

    <3 Kate
    http://www.theforgetfulwife.com

    3.30.12
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  12. Christian Tagliavini was one of 2011Finalists in the annual competition held by the London International Creative Competition.

    The London International Creative Competition is a vehicle for facilitating contact between uniquely talented artists and an international audience. LICC 2012 is currently open and accepting new entries. The deadline to submit creative work is April 30, 2012!

    Check out other LICC 2011 Finalists here: http://licc.us/winners/2011/
    Check out the LICC Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-Creative-Awards-LICC/226308214078364

    CHEERS to Christian!

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  13. Sarina wrote:

    These are remarkable. I think my favorite part is the make0up, hair and expressions. So so smart and captivating!

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  14. Sarina wrote:

    These are remarkable. I think my favorite part is the make0up, hair and expressions. So so smart and captivating!

    3.30.12
    Reply
  15. Kit wrote:

    These are so cool! The top ones reminded me reminded me of the cubist costumes from Parade (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWPFDa1sX-I/Tdg94jfHKeI/AAAAAAAAAnE/Kwd2MLZsl3c/s1600/Picasso+Parade+Ballet.jpg) though they’re not quite as sureal! I love the dramatic makeup as well

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  16. Janet wrote:

    This idea is remarkably awesome and aesthetically pleasing!!

    With hearts,
    Janet
    http://missrockcouture.blogspot.com

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  17. 3.30.12
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  18. Monica wrote:

    WOW, thats actually awesome! I wish I could do this, truly impressive!

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  19. So awesome, I always love your artsy posts.

    Collections

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  20. These remind me of some great Alice in Wonderland illustrations I saw a while back.
    Material Fixations

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  21. Bia wrote:

    Cool, beautiful. Whatever . I would like to say how happy I felt looking The cardboards ladies.
    In portuguese, my language, I would say: Maravilhoso. Foi muito bom esse encontro com a beleza depois de um dia tão chato. Estou grata.

    3.30.12
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  22. DC2NY wrote:

    Omg! An overwhelming yet stunning project! I keep looking at images and can’t figure out if the waists were photoshopped or what? Look too unreal! But there must be some sort of visual trick there!
    Thanks for sharing!!!

    DC2NYConfessions Blog
    Don’t miss my spring giveaway

    3.30.12
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  23. raechel wrote:

    A few of these ladies look incredibly emaciated…

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  24. christina wrote:

    HOLY SH*T!

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  25. Lianne wrote:

    I love how dainty they are! 🙂

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  26. Good job, Mr. Tagliavini! 🙂

    4.1.12
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  27. january wrote:

    so whimsical!
    january, x
    jessicajanuary.com

    4.3.12
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  28. Dee wrote:

    Love this!! It made me laugh!! :))

    4.8.12
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