Fashion & Pretence

Innovating, surprising, transforming and idealising bodies... Fashion has no qualms about playing with how we see things. Whether it is trying to make all physical appearances the same or bring out the best in everybody's shape, whether it is trying to be discreet or get seen, fashion has a whole arsenal of illusions to seduce us.

Patterns

Stylists use patterns in order to steer our gaze. For example, you are sure to know about the stripes trick: vertical lines on a garment elongate a figure, while horizontal lines make it thicker. This is a case of the Helmholtz illusion. Other patterns, such as Stella McCartney's miracle dress, completely project a different figure to your own, via an ingenious effect of contrast that is called the shading illusion.

Colours

Just as chiaroscuro enables an effect of volume to be lent to a painting, the use of colours on clothes can change the way we see the body that is wearing them. So, dark colours tend to lessen roundness by erasing the details; while lighter colours allow curves and shadows to appear.

Shapes

Different fabrics and different cuts have different ways of hanging on a body. A stylist is able to thicken certain areas of your figure with drapes, crinkles or lapels, or elongate your figure using long straight folds or heavier materials. You can also change the shape of your body using accessories: high heels lengthen your legs and tilt you, while straps change the way you carry your shoulders.

Make-up

Illusions also play a role in make-up and hairstyling. Artists use contouring and shading techniques in order to sculpt the face and create light and shade effects. These techniques change the way facial features are seen, accentuating certain areas while reducing others, in order to create a more harmonious and balanced appearance.