Lynda Benglis: Artist from Lake Charles Inspired Dior Designer
While her influence will be on the runway, you can experience Lynda Benglis' work in Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES, La. (press release) – One of the world’s most celebrated fashion houses, Christian Dior, drew inspiration from an artist from Lake Charles for the Fall/Winter 2026-2027 haute couture collection.
Designing for the upcoming collection is Creative Director Jonathan Anderson, who’s drawing inspiration from the work of acclaimed sculptor Lynda Benglis.
Benglis often begins with flat or flexible materials and transforms them through folding, knotting, pleating, molding and layering. Anderson translated those same ideas into couture, using sculptural draping, hand-pleated fabrics, metallic surfaces, iridescent finishes and intricate embellishments to create garments that move between fashion and art.
According to organizers, this isn’t the first time Benglis and Anderson have worked together. He worked with her on Loewe’s Spring/Summer 2024 show, where in addition to being the inspiration, Benglis made the jewelry for the collection while her sculptures were part of the runway show.
Lynda Benglis
Born in Lake Charles in 1941, Benglis is an artist and sculptor whose bold, experimental approach to form has helped shape contemporary art for decades.
According to the Museum of Modern Art website, where she has several exhibitions on display, “Benglis invented a new format with her celebrated ‘pours,’ which resembled paintings but came off the wall to occupy the space of sculpture.”
While her influence is being seen on the runway in Paris, you can experience Benglis’ work in Lake Charles.
Her Work in Lake Charles
The Imperial Calcasieu Museum displays several of her welded-steel sculptures from 1988, including “Odd’s and And’s I,” “Odd’s and And’s II,” “Odd’s and And’s V” and the bright red “Jungle Jim 2.”
These stylized steel sculptures were donated in memory of Bengtis’ friends, Kenneth L. “Ken” and Julie Ann Marx Strauss. Beyond their striking artistic presence, the “Jungle Jim 2” sculpture holds a unique connection to Lake Charles history.
The sculpture was constructed from rebar and salvaged wrought iron, incorporating pieces recovered from the historic Arcade Theatre, a downtown landmark that served the community from 1910 to 1985.
As a result, the “Jungle Jims” are more than works of art. They preserve fragments of one of Lake Charles’ most beloved landmarks while celebrating the city’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
“Lynda Benglis has always been a point of pride for our community.” Said Ashley Royer, creative director of Imperial Calcasieu Museum. “Every day, her vibrant sculptures welcome visitors to the museum and remind us that world-class artists can come from right here in Southwest Louisiana.”
For more information about Lake Charles’ art and cultural attractions, visit visitlakecharles.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/.
