Fashion’s Most Dramatic Shows

The Most Unforgettable Fashion Shows

The key aspect of runway shows is the clothes themselves,but fashion shows are rarely just about the clothes. Instead, these shows are a whole experience. Various famous designers such as Alexander McQueen, Ralph Lauren, Gareth Pugh, Karl Lagerfield and Marc Jacobs have sent their models down the runway to put on a show stopping experience. Theatrical runway shows are the perfect combination of performance and art, ultimately helping keep the audience engaged and one to remember. Here are 7 of the most dramatic fashion shows to hit the runway:

Alexander McQueen Spring 2005 One designer that never fails to put on a show is British fashion designer, Alexander McQueen. In his Spring 2005 show It’s Only a Game, McQueen put all of his models on a giant chess board having them mimic the chess pieces.1 The models were placed in several rows and once the last model was on stage, a giant chess board was projected onto the runway. From there, the models then moved around the board, playing out an entire game of chess, which ended in a checkmate between the two rival sides. It’s Only a Game was one of McQueen’s greatest triumphs.2

Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2006 Another one of McQueen’s noteworthy fashion shows was for his Fall/Winter 2006 Collection. McQueen provided a marvelous end to his show by having mysterious white smoke come out of an empty glass pyramid accompanied by a state-of-the-art hologram created by video maker Bailie Walsh. The smoke spun in midair, slowly shaping itself into model Kate Moss who was in a show stopping white dress. The gown was made of a pale cascade of multiple organza ruffles. Moss danced around for only a few seconds, then disappeared into thin air to complete his show with a bang. The rest of the models really brought out his Scottish roots as they walked in their Victorian crinolines, headdresses, feathered gowns, and pieces made from brocades that may have been dragged down from ancient wall hangings.3

1 Andrews, Jessica C. “The Most Dramatic Fashion-Show Stunts of All Time.” Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair, 23 Sept. 2014. 2 School of Fashion July 25, 2012, et al. “Why Don’t You... Watch the Alexander McQueen’s Spring 2005 Runway Show!” Fashion School Daily, 25 July 2012. 3 Mower, Sarah. “Alexander McQueen Fall Ralph Lauren Spring/Summer 2015 American fashion designer Ralph Lauren announced his Women’s Polo Spring/ Summer 2015 Collection by projecting his show on a water screen above Central Park.4 To start the show, a fountain began shooting out of the lake and a hidden projector streamed holographic images of the models. The models appeared like an optical illusion that were projected in front of New York City’s landscape. There was a casual light on the highend collection of working on a sportier, more affordable priced polo. The first look captured his goal, as the model was dressed in fitted cargo pants and an amethyst-colored silk scarf accessorized with hanging gem earrings. He mixed a sporty, safari theme with bright organza and silk charmeuse.5

Gareth Pugh Spring/Summer 2015 English fashion designer Gareth Pugh took an unconventional route in displaying the clothes for his Spring/ Summer 2015 runway show. Instead of using models, Pugh wanted to create an “immersive live experience” using a three part production which included live dancers and even a smoke tornado.6 This show featured three short films that combined Pugh’s designs with dancers who were choreographed by Wayne McGregor. Pugh’s collection was deep and dark, emulating a dark side of Pagan mythology. The show’s fashion pieces included corn dolly hats, steer skulls made from papermache, little flowers of chiffon and much more.7

Karl Lagerfeld Fendi Spring/Summer 2007 German design powerhouse Karl Lagerfeld went down in history for Fendi’s 2007 Spring/Summer runway show that took place on the Great Wall of China. The models walked down a portion of the 1,500 mile structure in fur jackets, 50’s style dresses and logoed bags. He used high-tech materials like black silicone, silver leather made into athletic mesh and holographic paillettes. There was a metal micro dress with a bow tie at the neck and a iridescent puff sleeve. 500 guests attended this show that cost nearly

2006 Ready-to-Wear Collection.” Vogue, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2015. 4 Ibid. 5 Phelps, Nicole. “Polo Ralph Lauren Spring 2015 Ready-to-Wear Collection.” Vogue, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2015. 6 Ibid. 7 Vesnin, Arseny. “Gareth Pugh Spring/ Summer 2015 Collection.” Designcollector, Designcollector, 14 Nov. 2014. $10 million to produce. The show came to a close with the signature Fendi “F” logo projected onto the mountains surrounding the Great Wall.8

Karl Lagerfeld Chanel Spring 2008 Continuing his line of captivating fashion shows, Karl Lagerfeld created a 75 foot monument of the Chanel Jacket in the Grand Palais for his Spring 2008 Haute Couture fashion show.9 The idea of this was to use the jacket symbolically as the models entered the runaway through a flap in the jacket.10 This collection reiterated the power of the timeless jacket, as the giant jacket was cast in concrete to express the immutability of the Chanel brand. This jacket, originally created by Coco Chanel herself, is still popular decades after it was first introduced to the world of fashion.

Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012 American fashion designer Marc Jacobs continued his eye capturing fashion shows by using carousels for his Spring/Summer 2012 Louis Vuitton presentation at Louvre’s Cour Carree in Paris, France. Jacob’s created a slow moving white, elegant carousel to compliment the collections gold tiaras spotted on the models, making them look like royalty. The models were dressed in beaded white dresses, puffy skirts and stiletto heels, making this an extremely classy and feminine show. The merry-go-round continued spinning, but the one constant with this show was that Kate Moss was the last girl standing on the runway.11 Runway shows are about more than just showing off clothes or art, but also about the experience for the audience as a whole. Designers want to create an unforgettable experience for their viewers, showcasing the clothes in a way that will imprint on its audience. These seven fashion shows will forever go down in history as some of the most memorable, dramatic runway representations.12 ■

8 Ibid. 9Ibid. 10 Mower, Sarah. “Chanel Spring 2008 Couture Collection.” Vogue, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2015. 11Ibid. 12 Ibid.