From Copenhagen with Love: A Collection of Fashionable Fairy-Tale Drawings Arrive in Boston

From Copenhagen with Love: A Collection of Fashionable Fairy-Tale Drawings Arrive in Boston

Copenhagen Fashion Week has wrapped, but the romantic spirit seen in many of the clothes on and off the runway there—it is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, after all—is also to be found in “Kay Nielsen’s Enchanted Vision: The Kendra and Allan Daniel Collection” at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Born into a theatrical family in Copenhagen in 1866, Nielsen—his first name is pronounced “Kigh”—studied in Paris and spent several years working for Walt Disney in Los Angeles, gaining acclaim along the way for his fantastical story book illustrations. These works are peopled by brave, steed-riding knights and radiant princesses in flowing dresses that look not too different from those that are making headlines this summer. Nielsen’s best-known work is for a collection of Norwegian fairy tales, East of the Sun and West of the Moon. Reviewing the book in 1914, Vogue noted: “Mr. Nielsen’s illustrations in color are designed to connote the imaginative extravagance of the text. They are, therefore, the reverse of realistic.”

Diversion from reality must have been very welcome during the onset of World War I in 1914. Present-day sociopolitical upheaval has some seeking escapism through fashion, which can help us imagine other worlds, better selves. When Karl Lagerfeld referenced Nielsen’s East of the Sun and West of the Moon in his Fall 2016 Couture collection for Fendi, he told Vogue’s Nicole Phelps, “I called the show Legends and Fairy Tales because it’s a collection that doesn’t relate to everybody like ready-to-wear, this is very special for people who have a special kind of life.” Talk about escapist #goals….

Inspired by the Nielsen exhibition in Boston, here are six fairy-tale fashion moments to cherish.

Alexander McQueen Fall 2002
This dramatic show opened with Little Lilac Riding Hood and real big (not so bad) wolf-hybrid dogs.

Prada Spring 2008
When designing this collection, Miuccia Prada was thinking “about trying to find a new creativity.” She teamed up with the artist James Jean on prints that featured trippy fairies and wood sprites.

Fendi Fall 2016 Couture
“It was in a way the mood of my childhood, the Northern fairy tales,” said Karl Lagerfeld of his choice to reference Kay Nielsen’s artwork for East of the Sun and West of the Moon.

Undercover Fall 2017
Jun Takahashi created a fantasy universe people by monarchy, soldiers, and “a new species” for Fall 2017.

Met Gala 2019
Zendaya and Law Roach have a red-carpet Cinderella moment at the 2019 Met Gala.

Fendi Fall 2019 Couture
This show, a homage to Karl Lagerfeld, closed with a gown made for a latter-day Renaissance princess.

“Kay Nielsen’s Enchanted Vision: The Kendra and Allan Daniel Collection” is on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston through January 20, 2020.

Originally Appeared on Vogue