Throughout history, the nebulous force that is fashion has been under a microscope, with its followers continuously questioning and attempting to define the illusive force that causes one thing to be in or out of vogue. As immortalized by Heidi Klum: "One day you're in and the next you're out." Not unlike art, when being presented with fashion, viewers are reluctant to absentmindedly accept without explanation; thus the question at the top of every fashion journalist's list is, "Where did you get your inspiration?"

With every new collection comes a fresh slew of movies, eras, and art that has aided in the fashion designer's creative process and we have graciously identified a few of them here for you. So skip the hours spent reading show reviews and click-through for this Fashion Month Spring 2014 recap.

Art Deco Textiles at Marc Jacobs

A YSL throwback at Jean-Charles De Castelbajac

The Elizabethan Open Ruff at Thom Browne

Schiaparelli-Style Optical Illusions at Miu Miu

Pop Art Pop Stars at Prada

Life After Love Louis Vuitton with Marc Jacobs

18th-Century Stays at Meadham Kirchhoff

Monastery-Wear at Moschino

Art Nouveau at Gucci

19th-century Understructures at Commes des Garçons

Tahitian Ladies at Aquilano.Rimondi

Op Art at Carolina Herrera

Renaissance Puff-Sleeves at Threeasfour

Grass Skirts at Alexander McQueen