By Frank Lucasale 
In fashion, trends come and go — but surrealism never truly fades. It reemerges every few seasons to remind us that clothing isn’t just fabric; it’s fantasy, rebellion, and art you can wear. This season, the world’s most daring designers are channeling Salvador Dalí’s dreamlike eccentricity into their collections — melting silhouettes, whimsical textures, and statement pieces that look like they stepped straight out of a painting.
If you’ve been craving fashion that challenges reality and sparks conversation, this is your moment. Welcome to the world where imagination rules the runway — Surrealism in Fashion is back, and it’s bolder than ever.
Let’s explore five visionary designers redefining surreal style this season — and exactly where you can buy these statement pieces.
What Is Surrealism in Fashion?
Before diving into the designers, let’s quickly decode what “surreal fashion” means.
Surrealism is all about breaking logic — blending dream and reality, imagination and rebellion. Inspired by the art movement led by Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, and others, surrealist fashion transforms ordinary garments into visual puzzles.
Think:
- Dresses with eyes that actually blink
- Heels shaped like human lips
- Bags that look like they’re melting
- Hand-painted faces across jackets
- Illusions that make you do a double take
This is wearable art — mysterious, bold, and unapologetically strange.
This season, surrealism has exploded on the runways once again, echoing the chaotic, dreamlike world we live in — where fantasy might just be the most honest form of expression.
1. Schiaparelli: The True Heir to Dalí’s Legacy
When it comes to surreal fashion, one name dominates — Schiaparelli.
Founded by Elsa Schiaparelli, the label famously collaborated with Salvador Dalí in the 1930s, creating iconic pieces like the Lobster Dress and the Shoe Hat.
Today, under the creative direction of Daniel Roseberry, Schiaparelli continues to bring Dalí’s surreal dreams into modern haute couture.
What to Look For:
- Sculpted bodices shaped like anatomical hearts.
- Eye-shaped jewelry that blinks with crystals.
- Gold body molds reminiscent of ancient goddesses.
- Structured jackets with impossible silhouettes.
Each piece is an optical illusion, blending reality and imagination in true Schiaparelli style.
Where to Buy:
Visit Schiaparelli’s flagship store in Paris or browse limited ready-to-wear drops via luxury retailers like Net-A-Porter or Moda Operandi.
2. Iris van Herpen: The Dream Engineer
If Dalí painted his dreams, Iris van Herpen sculpts them.
Known for her fusion of art, science, and technology, Herpen designs pieces that defy gravity and blur the lines between human and machine.
Her latest collection is pure surreal poetry — fluid gowns made of laser-cut organza that move like liquid smoke.
What to Look For:
- Dresses resembling underwater organisms or cosmic energy fields.
- 3D-printed materials that shift color as you move.
- Floating silhouettes that seem alive with movement.
Each piece captures that Dalí-esque essence of transformation — melting the boundaries of form and fantasy.
Where to Buy:
You can explore her collections on irisvanherpen.com or through couture trunk shows at major fashion capitals.
3. Loewe: Surrealism Meets Street Style
Loewe, under creative director Jonathan Anderson, has become the modern flagbearer of surreal ready-to-wear.
This season, Anderson’s vision merges the ordinary with the absurd — think clothing that distorts reality while staying wearable.
What to Look For:
- High-heeled shoes that appear to levitate.
- T-shirts printed with trompe-l’œil (optical illusion) necklines.
- Sculptural dresses that fold like paper art.
- Padded jackets shaped like balloons ready to float away.
Loewe’s genius lies in making surrealism accessible — a conversation piece you can wear to brunch or a gallery opening.
Where to Buy:
Shop surreal Loewe pieces on loewe.com, MyTheresa, and MatchesFashion.
4. Viktor & Rolf: Couture with a Wink
No one does playful surrealism like Viktor & Rolf.
Their collections are theatrical, humorous, and delightfully over-the-top — channeling the same absurd brilliance that made Dalí iconic.
This season, they’re experimenting with floating gowns that look Photoshopped in real life. It’s fashion that makes you stop, smile, and question reality.
What to Look For:
- Dresses that defy gravity with horizontal necklines.
- Tulle gowns “hovering” inches from the body.
- Exaggerated bows and text-based couture that reads like art.
Every creation feels like stepping inside a Dalí painting — surreal yet stunning.
Where to Buy:
Pieces are available during Paris Couture Week or through bespoke order requests. You can also find capsule pieces on FWRD or Farfetch.
5. Moschino: Whimsy with a Twist
If Salvador Dalí designed for pop culture, he’d probably join Moschino.
Creative director Jeremy Scott (until recently) built the brand on humor, irony, and surreal visuals.
From dresses that look like champagne bottles to handbags shaped like cleaning spray, Moschino turns everyday objects into high-fashion satire.
This season, Moschino continues its surreal streak with a mix of illusion prints and playful proportions — perfect for anyone who doesn’t take fashion too seriously but loves making a statement.
What to Look For:
- Blazers with printed shadows or misplaced buttons.
- Skirts that appear upside-down.
- Accessories inspired by pop art and Dalí’s melting motifs.
Moschino reminds us that fashion is fun — and surrealism doesn’t need to be serious to be powerful.
Where to Buy:
Explore the latest surreal Moschino collections on moschino.com, or shop ready-to-wear pieces via Farfetch, SSENSE, and Nordstrom.
The Surreal Comeback: Why It’s Happening Now
So, why is surrealism dominating fashion again? Because reality has become too predictable.
In a world of digital fatigue and fast fashion, people crave meaning, mystery, and visual storytelling.
Today’s consumers don’t just want clothes — they want pieces that express emotion, question norms, and spark imagination.
Surrealism in fashion provides that escape. It lets you wear dreams, metaphors, and rebellion. And in a time when everything feels routine, surreal fashion reminds us: creativity has no rules.
Styling Surrealism: How to Wear the Look
You don’t need to walk a runway to pull off this trend.
Here’s how to bring surrealism into your everyday style:
- Start small: Try surreal accessories — an eye-shaped brooch, melting earrings, or a 3D-printed clutch.
- Play with prints: Optical illusion tops or face-printed tees make bold yet wearable statements.
- Contrast textures: Mix satin with latex or lace with plastic for unexpected dimension.
- Go monochrome: A single surreal element stands out better on a neutral palette.
- Confidence first: The best accessory to surreal fashion is attitude. Own the weirdness — that’s the art.
Final Thoughts: Surrealism Is More Than a Trend
Surreal fashion isn’t about following trends — it’s about defying them.
It’s for those who see fashion as a canvas, not a costume. Those who love art, absurdity, and individuality.
As Salvador Dalí once said, “I don’t do drugs. I am drugs.”
The same could be said for surreal fashion — intoxicating, hallucinatory, and wildly addictive.
This season, let your wardrobe reflect your imagination.
Because fashion should never just be worn — it should be felt, questioned, and remembered.