I think the key here is that she does have other things in her wardrobe. The dress suits her, and she seems to wear it often, as a default, but she's not making an experiment or an art project out of it. It's just a signature piece for her. She seems to be perfectly at ease wearing functional studio clothing or formal dresses when the occasion calls for it.

I think it seems sensible.

It's a very wonderful silhouette and very artistic in nature, I can see why she is so drawn to it and why you admire it.  I myself crave variety in silhouettes as much as color.  Since fashion is my creative outlet and alas I'll never be an artist this make sense.  

She reminds me of my artist friend who wears nothing but old jeans and a white oxford shirt. It's her uniform. I makes me think that an artist needs to free his or her mind of decisions like what to wear every day that drain off their creative energy so they can channel it into their work. (My friend's last show was a series of identical white paper shirts, meticulously crafted.)

I don't think I'd enjoy wearing one style of garment all the time but the dress is stunning on her - though somewhat robe like.

Wow, M.O.D. looks perfectly at ease in this high-drama dress.

Agree with all the thoughtful remarks upthread about the intersection of signature style + uniform being very appealing!

Deborah -- given how similar a chunk of your silhouettes are, I could see this working for you for a good chunk of time --though not necessarily decades!

About 80% of me could do this as I do wear "uniforms" (silhouettes I gravitate back to over and over), am a more classic dresser, and happily duplicate items in different colors.

The "don't split wears by buying duplicates" warnings don't resonate with me, because I don't care if a color gets worn LESS than another, I just care if it gets WORN and proves useful. In fact I often think, "I wish I had X but with a variation in Y [color, length, sleeve type, heel height, print/pattern]."

Keep us posted if you take the plunge.

Oh good, she wears other things for actual working. The practicality issues were bothering me...

I can see how this would work for someone who's a well-known artist, because presumably she has to go to a lot of openings and events, and an arty, drapey style that's sort of above/not about trends works for her profession and image. So she can change out of her everyday clothes and throw on this interesting dress in whatever color and fabric, and she's good to go.

Somebody here was talking about the Simple Isn't Easy book recently, weren't they? They talked a lot about the idea of a uniform in that book, iirc, citing several fashion industry people like Grace Coddington, who only wears black and hasn't changed her hair since the 70s. I personally think that if you're a "regular person" with a regular job, the social consequences of being this odd would be noticeable. Even if you were great at your job, most companies and professions appreciate a bit of social grace and the ability to fit into situations without standing out too much, and clothes are one of the ways we do that in society. (Spend some time reading past blog posts and comments on Corporette if you don't believe me this doesn't still happen, and probably more to women than men.)

There have been several bloggers who have done the 'wear one dress, or just a few, for a year' challenge and I think it's a little overdone at this point. But then, for most of history most people did have only a few outfits - it's only with the rise of industrialization that wearing the same two dresses over and over is no longer necessary.

I agree with Laura that this works best if your 'uniform' dress is very distinctive and artistic, and that only works if you're in a lifestyle that supports it. I would love wearing that dress though I doubt I'd carry it off as well. But something less avant garde would just end up feeling boring to me.

I like the idea, there's a practical, simple aspect that reminds me of the traditional dress styles we don't have in the US.

I agree with Suz about the "doing" wear versus "showing" and that would be a problem for me with this particular dress.

But unless it was more commonly worn, like a traditional dress style, I don't think I could wear a single style indefinitely. The dress is something she chose herself, and I don't think I have that kind of certainty. Variety gives me an opportunity to redefine my visual presentation of myself and to get different feedback from different people.

As Thistle mentions this dress is not suitable to all climates. I looked her up on Wikipedia and she is from Miami Beach, born and raised. A caftan-like dress like this works for much of the year. It's tropical after all. It would be suitable for a 2 months of the year in most other places.

I love the idea. I didn't read about her, but if she's an artist, she may not be seeing the same people every day. I think that could be different from working in an office. I can see myself going to (even) more uniform dressing as I get older. And retire. When I was 13 and found an outfit of Levis 501s, black leotard, gray hoodie, and tan suede Wallabees, I thought I'd found sartorial nirvana. That still is not that far off of what I wear today.

Well, I did something sort of like that but not so architecturally fashionable, and somewhat by not planning ahead.

I found this LOFT dress first in gray on the sale rack, and the length and summer comfort factor were high, so I got it just for a fun sporty dress, then found the B&W, which I hadn't even seen and was a little "dressier" and went well with black sandals, and had already cut the tags and worn it, and THEN it came out later in this pink and black, which is actually a better face-color combination for me.

They were all on sale, and each one works a bit differently with footwear, and toppers, and wearing different sweaters over to give a separates look, but still, it's kinda crazy and there will certainly be some wear-splitting going on and now it's already fall. Enough already--I may have to wear them for lounging!

Fascinating woman, and great responses already from forum members!

To me, this dress has a sort of "monk's robe" quality, although in a pleasing and feminine way. Or perhaps a Star Trek diplomat? I looks ancient and futuristic all at once. How can that be?

As for myself, I think I could have duplicates of favorite items, but I crave too much variety and change. As for your personal style, I could definitely see at least two of these in your wardrobe -- contrasting texture, fabrication, color, etc. I think the neckline might need a bit of fitting to make it drape without falling off!

She looks gorgeous in her dress/es and I think what Jenn wrote above it key. She is not glued to the dress but it is just an always useful default. I would not want to do this, but wouldn't mind a good default top in a few different colors - but even when I find one, I eventually get tired of it. And I would definitely try on that dress if I came across it.

I think I could have one signature dress. I look in my closet, and I see a lot of the same black pencil skirts with little variations, or the same sheath dresses, again, with little variations. So the same dress or skirt or top in different colors, instead? Sure, why not?

I wanted to chime back in and apologize if my response before was brash in any way. You could certainly pull off a look like this. It's just so far from my style that I have a hard time identifying with it so for ME the answer would be no way. But for you, maybe! It's worth a try. Very interesting conversation you've started here. I think Beth Ann put to words what I was trying to say but couldn't come up with the right words. Anyway - again, I apologize if I was too direct or rude!

abc, you couldn't be rude if you tried:). You are always lovely and I did not receive your comment in that way at all. Appreciate your honesty, openness and wisdom always

virtual hugs to you!

This dress is a signiture piece for sure, she wears it beautiful, and from what I can see and imagine it would also suit you and your style, Debs!

That said I believe it is not the only one clothing item she has, I googled her images and saw lots of other more conventional looks she has, too.

She is an artist, so the dress fits her lifestyle and art, including the image she probably wanted to project of her wearing it. Feels to me like her scrubs for identifying better with her art meanwhile trying purposefuly to stay in the background (still keeping a big amount of personality) and so she wears it when showcasing her art to the public.

She has a slim (and perhaps also tall?) frame and not really much on her bustline so dress fits her body easy and no fuss-which think is key for the look.
Thus to me it feels a little like of an indian sari (and her facial and body features seems to complement the look) or even a poncho of our days, kind of an armor with an unisexual vibe, trying to hide all her feminity. None of these are bad or anything, just trying to put down my deeper feelings regarding of her wearing that one special dress like an uniform.

Sorry to delay in getting back.

Yes she does wear other things but the article I read said this dress was key to her wardrobe and as you can see from google, she wears it (in its variations a lot). I have seen her in black skinny jeans and black shirt she is working and various special occasion type dresses for functions too. I think it was more the idea that fascinated me.

Like La Belle Demimondaine said, I also have a very consistent silhouette that I wear so I could question why I need so many versions of it?? Immediate thought would be variety

Beth Ann, I think it's the timelessness of the dress that really appeals.

Denise I think she has lived in NY for quite a long time. Not sure what the climate is there but I did read that she has silk versions, cashmere versions etc to cover the seasons.

And I hadn't considered that this could be her "public persona". I recall one season of The Voice (I think) here in Australia, Ricky Martin wore the same thing each episode (it looked like Rick Owens and was awesome!!) which I suppose was to create a persona or image that became familiar to the public.

Funny thing, today it was warm for the first half of the day and I wore skinny black pants and an oversized black sleeveless top and pointy pumps. It cooled down at lunch and I had to go out again so put a warmer top on and ankle boots. When I looked in the mirror it was the exact same outfit only warmer...

Personally I would get bored with one dress silhouette. I get bored with clothes easily though and require variety in my wardrobe. I think it just depends on your personality and lifestyle whether one dress will work for you or not.

Cute clothing.

I got off track by googling her, and got lost reading all kinds of articles about "her dress" and her art, etc. Her art is incredible! It's nice to see an artist be so recognized while still alive and producing. Sad to say.

She definitely wears other clothes, which is probably why this works for her. She loves it. It's her signature dress, not her ONLY dress. I think as soon as someone says (to me) "you have to do/wear this", I'd rebel and it wouldn't be fun anymore

My immediate thought was that the EF drape front dress would be a great one to try this with, if one were so inclined. It's so comfortable, can be dressed up or down, could probably be duplicated in different fabrics... And a more practical length.

No, but how cool. It would be fun to do a post on what your "one outfit" would be if you chose to dress this way.

And thinking about other cultures like my own - many women like my aunts only wear a sari, which basically IS the same silhouette daily, but the variety in pattern and fabric and detail makes all the difference.

Sounds like a challenge Una!

This question fascinated me. I read up on this woman and then did a google pictures search. I also went on Pinterest. I wasn't kidding when i said 'fascinating'. Since I am a SAHM, I have the luxurious life of being able to just ponder profound metaphysical questions. A thought experiment. : )

It was not an easy conclusion...I mean I thought about it ALL day ! At first I thought that I could. Then I thought that I couldn't . Then I thought about this woman. She doesn't enjoy thinking about clothes. I do. She clearly feels that accumalating and focusing her creative power on her art is her main and only interest. And she enjoys it. For me to even try to go with with one dress is so contradictory to my personailty that why would I try it ? I have spent decades sometimes denying my true joy : it is not practical, it doesn't fit in, it is too reckless.....whatever. Wearing one dress ( albeit in may fabrics and colors ) would be to betray myeself and not acknoweldge what gives me some joy. So , YAY for her. No for me.

Deborah, I'm thrilled you found this woman and are inspired by her. I agree with so many of the comments here and whether it's a signature look or a uniform or even an experimental art project (wouldn't that be an amazing observation or documentary if it was so), I love her choice and the soft, creamy and luscious colors she has chosen. The dress is timeless, beautiful and dramatic in all colors. I can see why you were drawn to her style.

I like the idea very much and yet I move between so many different silhouettes that I don't think I could stay with one look for very long. There is that and the artist's life contrasting with real world living.

You would be beautiful in this and I hope your dressmaker can create something you love.

My mother used to make me several dresses out of the same pattern, but never more than 2 or 3, and I had a variety of dresses (from various patterns) in my closet. I liken it to wearing a tee or top, or even pants, that you love. You can have several identical items but in different colors and/or prints. There's nothing wrong with that. My problem, however, is that I would not be able to just have one dress made in different ways. I'd have to have different silhouettes. Variety is the spice of life.

I could and I did this Summer, with the EF sack dresses. I would wear one to work and change into one of the more festive colors when home!

I wouldn't want to feel limited to just wearing one outfit type-I love variety-BUT I can choose a dress that would work for me easily. If this one were made with variety-elbow length or long sleeves, maybe pussycat bow blouse, midi skirt, etc-it would be very versatile for me. (They have other colors for this exact dress but I really don't need any more sleeveless dresses!)

I have, and still do this. About 8 years ago, I made a DVF style wrap dress. Was so comfortable and so convenient, I made about 9 of them in the same kind of fabric (silk jersey), just different prints. All I did was change up the shoes, jewelry and handbags. And that's what I wore to work every day.

I still do the same thing now, but instead I have found a particular dress manufacturer that makes a faux-wrap draped dress that works well for me. Again, different colorways and always a print.. at last count I have 10 of them in the same exact cut - different prints and colors. Dresses work for me because they are comfortable and I don't have to think much about them. I put them on and I'm done for the day. No fussing or tugging or re-arranging. I do have about 30 handbags though!

No one at work has ever commented on it to me, but now I kind of wonder if people think "she wears the same style dress every day!" Though now that I think about it more - I don't care what they think