As we well know, most designers look inwards for inspiration when it comes to designing new collections, using experiences, memories or education as the source codes for all you see coming down the runway. Others look outwards, either to cultural developments, politics and sometimes muses. This is the case with Dior’s Pre-Fall 2018 collection which is said to be inspired by early 20th century artist and writer Claude Cahun. Cahun, who still serves as an inspiration to many contemporary artists like Cindy Sherman, was born Lucy Schwob and was perhaps the first to float the idea of gender-neutrality. At the time, however, this was formulated more in the sense of the third sex. In her autobiography, Cahun noted: “Masculine? Feminine? It depends on the situation. Neuter is the only gender that always suits me.” We have to applaud the fact that Maria Grazia Chiuri dug deep into the archives of cultural and art history to find a source of inspiration this unique. If you want to read more on Claude Cahun, click here and check out the collection here. Image via The Daily Beast.