Song of the sirens
Sirens as icons of feminine power in contemporary art and fashion
The myth of sirens—dangerous yet mesmerizing creatures—has fascinated and terrified people for centuries, evolving through art, literature, and folklore. Unlike the image of mermaids, the original sirens of Greek mythology were half-women, half-bird beings, who dwelled on rocky shores and lured sailors to their doom with their haunting songs.
Sirens are best known for their depiction in Homer’s Odyssey, in which Odysseus plugs his crew’s ears with beeswax and ties himself to the mast of his ship to resist their deadly call. Over time, the myth of sirens spread across Europe and became deeply intertwined with the history of Southern Italy’s coastlines. In particular, sirens were believed to influence the tides and weather, guiding the fate of sailors and traders navigating the waters around the islands of Capri and Sirenuse.
In Southern Italian culture, the siren symbolizes duality—both alluring and perilous—a theme reflected in traditional folklore, music and poetry. This imagery is also embedded in the local crafts of Capri and Sirenuse, including hand-painted ceramics that often depict sirenic motifs. Today, siren symbolism is continuously reinterpreted in contemporary art, film, music and fashion.
The symbolism of sirens has been reimagined in modern films like The Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean, where they represent the lure of unfulfilled desires. Often, they are depicted as beautiful women with musical instruments, possessing a charm that captivates and ensnares.
Sirens are also represented in contemporary art, where they act as symbols of femininity, power, and transformation. Their dual nature—enchanting and destructive—has been particularly explored in various feminist artworks, questioning societal perceptions of female agency and the fears surrounding it.
Sirens have played a prominent role in the world of fashion, notably in Dolce & Gabbana’s recent collections, which showcase siren motifs of flowing silhouettes, shimmering fabrics, and embellishments reminiscent of underwater treasures. The late Alexander McQueen explored similar themes in his Spring/Summer 2010 collection, Plato’s Atlantis, featuring prints and silhouettes that evoke aquatic creatures with scales, fins, and coral-like textures. Though not evident from the name, McQueen’s now-iconic “Armadillo” boots, with their sculptural form and overlapping shell-like structure, further enhanced the collection’s sea-inspired aesthetic.
Versace has also featured oceanic motifs, including starfish embellishments and Grecian style drapery, acknowledging the mythology of sirens while reinforcing themes of sensuality and female empowerment. This diverse range of interpretations illuminates the enduring influence of sirens in high fashion, where they symbolize seduction and mystery. Designers continue to experiment with the contrast between delicate, sheer fabrics and structured, armour-like bodices, mirroring the siren’s paradoxical nature—soft yet dangerous, alluring yet untouchable.
Beyond high fashion, the siren aesthetic is evident in the resurgence of the mermaid-core trend, which celebrates fluidity, femininity, and fantasy. This movement can be seen on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, showcasing looks featuring long silhouette dresses, wet-look hair styles, luminescent fabrics, and oceanic hues—all embracing the siren as a figure of fantasy and feminine empowerment.
The legacy of the siren remains ever-evolving, bridging mythology with contemporary themes of identity and desire in art and fashion. From ancient legends to modern reinterpretations, sirens symbolize both allure and danger, embodying the complexities of feminine identity and power. Their influence can be seen in everything from literature and cinema to couture and digital art, proving that their mystique remains as compelling today as it was in the myths of Southern Italy.
Main image: 'The sirens call' by Ettore Tito
