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Trendwatch: Trompe L’Oeil

04/15/2007 at 06:00 AM ET

No, it’s not your eyes — these are fashion illusions. Translating to “trick the eye,” trompe l’oiel is a centuries old technique of making the 2-d look 3-d. Popular in design in the 70′s, the look is back with a vengeance for spring, showing up on stars like Julianne Moore, Scarlett Johansson and Lucy Liu. Their designer frocks are from Proenza Schouler, Louis Vuitton and Zac Posen, but don’t worry — we’ve got some ideas on how to get the look for less! Tell us: Is this a trend you’d try?

Try a trompe top from Tsumori Chisato, $230, at hejfina.com or this quirky t-shirt, $15, from fredflare.com.

Just want a hint of trompe l’oeil? Try these adorable Roberta di Camerino wedges, $140, at yoox.com or this little Anna Sui tank top, $34, at hipundies.com.

Photo: Stephen Lovekin/WireImage; fame; Goff/INF

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Showing 25 comments

Ela on April 15th, 2007

umm… What 3-D???

rashundra. on April 15th, 2007

I like it!

julie on April 15th, 2007

Ela, for instance, making Scarlett’s dress look like it has a separate (3d) bodice, and making Lucy Liu’s shirt look like it has a turned down collar and beading. Except none of this 3d stuff is there — it’s all created with the 2d “drawings” on the outfits.

I really love this! It’s very pretty. I love the Anna Sui top, but I’m not sure if I’d have the courage to actually wear it. I’d have to find something to wear as a jacket.

R on April 15th, 2007

Of course. I love it!

AnnieM on April 15th, 2007

Julianne and Lucy look nice. Not terribly into Scarlett’s outfit – think it is the black tights with those shoes.

me on April 15th, 2007

I don’t get it?!?

amber on April 15th, 2007

ok i’m missing the 3-d thing, it doesn’t look 3-d to me….Scarlett Johansson is the only one that looks good wearing it btw.

yvonne franceschi on April 15th, 2007

Definitely not. this technique looks good in interior
design but not in clothes. The main idea is to trick the
eye or give the illusion of a three -dimensional space on a flat surface. This I learned at a interiordesign school, so I guest on fabrics doesn’t look like “trompe-l’oeil because you have to
work with geometric patterns and you have to manipulate
light and shade, unless you use a huge piece of fabric. Yvonne

Maryse on April 15th, 2007

I’m not digging Julianne Moore’s dress. I sorta like the top part of the dress / design, but I dislike the bottom part, especially that fur fluff, or whatever that is. I like her shoes though and she has beautiful red hair.

Scarlett Johansson’s dress is cute, but I’m not really digging those shoes with that outfit. They just look weird to me.

Lucy Liu’s dress is beautiful. She is so put together. She’s beautiful.

Rudy on April 15th, 2007

I honestly don’t think this is really fashionable at all- stars seem to pull it off all right, but all in all I think that this is a seriously outdated trend. The only piece I think is OK is the Anna Sui top at hipundies.com. Otherwise, I think this trend needs to be sent back to the shelf of old and outdated….

PS- …Unless of course designers can find a way to do this trend in a… shall we say, simpler way. For example, I like how simple Scarlett’s blouse is- it’s pretty and feminine, I’ll admit. But Julianne’s dress? I definitely think that’s way too much.

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