Viktor & Rolf mixes Picasso and polo shirts for Spring Summer 2016 haute couture
Dutch fashion house Viktor & Rolf has continued its "wearable art" theme with an haute-couture collection of sculptural white garments made from Cubist facial features.
![viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_0](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_0.jpg)
Viktor & Rolf's The Performance of Sculptures was shown yesterday at Paris' Palais de Tokyo, during the city's haute-couture fashion week.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_2.jpg)
The Spring Summer 2016 range builds on previous art-influenced collections, including last season's wearable paintings and an earlier range of garments based on Van Gogh artworks.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_3.jpg)
The starting point for the most-recent collection was the simple white polo shirt, which the designers fused with the work of another famous artist: the Spanish Cubist, Pablo Picasso.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_4.jpg)
"This season, the collection explores the idea of the archetypical white polo shirt meeting Cubism," said a statement from Viktor & Rolf, which decided to drop its ready-to-wear lines to focus on couture and perfume last year.
Parading to a choral rendition of Radiohead's 1993 track Creep, the first models appeared in polo-collared dresses with short sleeves and oversized buttons.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_5.jpg)
Mismatched facial features and body parts stuck onto, or cut out from, the fabric created abstract portraits.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_2.jpg)
Each of the garments was made entirely from a white technical piqué – a cotton material woven with fine ribbing, creating a magnified eyelet structure.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_10.jpg)
As the performance progressed, the simple looks gave way to more and more sculptural garments.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_12.jpg)
The additions became larger and more exaggerated, with waves of material representing hair extended from shoulders and partially covering faces.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_13.jpg)
"The designs blur the boundaries between garment and sculpture, and question the relationship between wearer and clothing, sometimes overtaking the body and obscuring the face of the wearer," said Viktor & Rolf.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_14.jpg)
Asymmetric silhouettes and frilled hems were combined to give a "spontaneous, thrown-together look".
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_16.jpg)
"The effect of rapid improvisation is deceptive however: every seemingly random cut, blotch or chip is meticulously hand finished," the house said.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_18.jpg)
Gradually exaggerated, the later designs fully masked the models – who could only see the catwalk through subtle perforations in the fabric.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_19.jpg)
Some looks incorporated a number of Cubist faces into single outfits, either side by side to form extra-wide pieces or stacked up like the faces found on totem poles.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_21.jpg)
The final garment features the shape of a standard polo shirt mounted high above where the wearer's head would be, on top of layered portions.
To complete the styling, the all-white garments were juxtaposed with black boots from UK footwear brand Dr Martens.
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_22.jpg)
A capsule collection derived from the haute-couture designs – comprising a white technical piqué polo dress, tunic and polo shirt – will be available for pre-order from luxury online fashion retailer Moda Operandi on 30 January 2016. Prices will range from €800 (£610) to €2,800 (£2,100).
![Viktor&Rolf Spring/Summer 2016 haute couture Cubist inspired collection](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/01/viktor-rolf-haute-couture-collection-spring-summer-2016-performance-sculptures_dezeen_936_23.jpg)
The fashion house, founded by Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren in 1993, has previously worked with Studio Job to create the scenography for a number of its shows.
The company opened its first flagship store in Paris in 2013, which was covered in grey felt by Architecture & Associés.