By Samantha Lyster
Lasting four crazy weeks and only twice a year, Fashion Month sees designers from all over the globe to debut their latest collections in New York, Milan, and Paris. Fashion Month clothes set the trend for the months following the show, everything you see in magazines and on shelves of high street shops have been seen on the runway. Starting out as a trade event in New York in 1943, Fashion Month has evolved since creating a massive production featuring an invite-only list of elite designers, celebrities, and influencers. This year, Fashion Month has been jam packed with designers trying to stand out as much as they can with the most outlandish looks. Here are some of the most eye-popping looks that were seen on the runway.
Once upon a time, slogan shirts were enough to get all your feelings across. Now, slogans are debuted as couture. Giving us the statement pieces we didn’t know we needed, Viktor & Rolf debuted their collection of slogan gowns in Paris. Giving us messages like, “I’m not shy, I just don’t like you” and “No photos please” slapped onto a voluminous gown. These gowns really help you get your message across, but in a fashionable way.
At Calvin Klein, Raf Simons pays tribute to Jaws with a classic fashion twist. Models stepped on the catwalk looking as if they’d escaped shark-infested waters with giant tears in their clothing and soaked hair. “We are attracted to things that are dangerous”, Simons tells journalists after the show: “We can’t stay away from it.”
Olivier Rousteing, creative director for Balmain since 2011, did not hold back in his first Balmain couture show. Rousteing has been very transparent about wanting to bring fashion back to the masses. For the first time in 16 years, Balmain will make couture again with these extravagant looks.
Fashion trends from the ‘80s is the gift that never stops giving. It was only a matter of time before the ‘80s buzz made its way to the runway. Hedi Slimane made her debut at Celine with her design of puffballs and big-shoulder blazers. The runway opened with a mini polka dotted party dress, as seen below. To complete the look, the model wore a mesh veil on her head and moto boots on her feet. Everyone could agree that this was the new Celine.
Tokyo-based costume designer Tomo Koizumi, created a modern-day fashion fairytale filled that stole the show at Fashion Month with dramatic gowns of rainbow colors cascading down a staircase. A-list models were included in his show like Emily Ratajkowski and Bella Hadid. Koizumi was discovered by Katie Grand on Instagram and brought him to New York for Fashion Month.
Etro’s theme seemed to be skipping seasons and going straight into summer. There’s always a place for fashion for bohemian culture and Etro nailed it right on the head. With this feel in mind, Etro brought out two female pro surfers, Victoria Vergara and Maribel Koucke, coming out with beachy hair and all smiles. Flowing paisley dresses were worn with vibrantly patterned wool blankets.
Valentino brought a playfulness feel to fashion week with outragious feathered hats, dramatic, childlike florals, and voluminous silhouettes. Creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli managed to bridge the gap between couture and casual. Valentino hits the perfect balance of work and play, while throwing in a little bit of summertime into the mix. Each model appeared as if they were ready to fly to a luxorious summer getaway with these looks.
Maison Margiela creates wildly imaginative looks for the runway. Chaotic couture and references to toady’s excess culture, went right with this looks leaving it open for the audience’s interpretation.
Iris Van Herpen explored futuristc styles with 3D material for their looks, and waves of neon all around the body. Equally dramatic were her other dress in layers of translucent prints with colored clouds seemed like art sculpture walking down the catwalk.
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