First seen on the couture runway in Paris, the ArdAzAei creation worn by our editor in chief at the 2024 Nobel Gala is a feat of fashion design
The Nobel Prizes are conferred in six categories across science and art, so it was highly apt that our editor-in-chief Martina Bonnier's couture gown by ArdAzAei was inspired by exactly that: science and art. "The beauty of physics inspired me to translate complex ideas into a couture piece that captures elegance and intellectual depth," says Bahareh Ardakani, ArdAzAei's creative director and founder, "merging creativity with intellectual curiosity."
Attending the prestigious event as the fashion expert for the gala's official broadcast, Bonnier opted for a sweeping silk organza dress from ArdAzAei's 'Calabi-Yau, The Hidden Dimensions' collection, that debuted at the Musées des arts Décoratifs in June 2024. The gown, with its intricate construction and detailing, required around 1,000 hours to complete.
"The gown’s design is deeply inspired by the abstract beauty of theoretical physics," Ardakani explains. "The flowing silk organza layers, with their cascading lengths and elegant train, symbolise infinite possibilities and hidden realities, much like the concepts of extra dimensions in string theory. In contrast, the black cotton corset, with its bold inverted A neckline, represents the tangible dimensions of our everyday experience, striking a harmonious balance between the seen and the unseen."
According to Ardakani, the embroidery is the "centerpiece "of the gown and the "culmination of its inspiration", with metallic threads and glass beads meticulously hand-embroidered in collaboration with Maison Lesage to form a 3D pattern influenced by Calabi-Yau manifolds (complex geometric shapes used in string theory to imagine extra hidden dimensions). "The shimmering interplay of these elements evokes the vibrations of superstrings, adding depth, motion, and mystique to the piece," she says. "This intricate embroidery required many hours of dedicated handwork, reflecting not only the gown’s complexity but also the devotion the scientific inspiration behind it."
The creative director described seeing Martina at the event in her design as a "great honour". "Seeing my work showcased by her at the Nobel Prize ceremony feels profoundly meaningful," Ardakani reflected.