Responding to Iris van Herpen’s explanation that human anatomy is her muse, this article takes as a starting point the visceral realities of the bodies we occupy. The influence of the designer’s embodied knowledge of ballet and skydiving in her work for the catwalk is considered, followed by discussion of examples from van Herpen’s lesser-known design work for dancers. Fashion’s grey literature is used to access first-hand accounts from the designer as well as interviews with choreographers and artistic directors. “Iris van Herpen: The Body” represents part one of a trilogy of articles and precedes “Iris van Herpen: Tools” and “Iris van Herpen: Collaboration”.