The Most Outrageous and Unforgettable Fashion Shows of All Time
Each year, fashion industry giants try to outdo each other and make a memorable experience when showing off their new collections. Some fashion houses have achieved this by creating unique stage setups for their shows.
Designers have also taken their show settings to the extreme by going outside of the typical fashion show locations of New York and Paris runways and opted for incredible venues that go along with their show’s themes. Here are some of the most outrageous and unforgettable fashion shows of all time.
Robot Art Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 1999
Alexander McQueen’s Spring 1999 show gave guests something to think about with the upcoming millennium. At this iconic fashion show, the designer brought in two robots to make a statement about technology and its involvement in fashion. At the climax of the show, the robots sprayed paint onto a dress that a model was wearing and shocked the audience.
St. Mark’s Square Fall 2021 Dolce & Gabbana
The next memorable moment from modern fashion history was at the Fall 2021 show for Dolce and Gabbana. Dolce & Gabbana shut down Venice’s St. Mark’s Square for a visionary fashion event for their Fall 2021 collection. The show, called Alta Moda, highlighted gorgeous and colorful looks from the collection, inspired by the rich history of this incredible city.
The Great Wall of China Fendi Fall 2007
The next incredible backdrop for a modern fashion show happened in the Fall 2007 event from Fendi. Designer Karl Lagerfeld moved his fashion show to The Great Wall of China and had models strutting down this historic landmark. Guests and fashion editors watched in seats that lined the sides of the wall and were awestruck.
Desert Landscape Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2021
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yves Saint Laurent went in a different direction for their Spring 2021 fashion event. Instead of hosting an in-person fashion show in a typical venue, the designer created a cinematic show that took place in the middle of a sandy desert. The fashion event was filmed and edited into a mini-movie and distributed to fashion editors and enthusiasts around the world.
Provence Lavender Fields Jacquemus Spring 2020
Simon Porte Jacquemus wanted to showcase the beauty of Provence in the Spring in his Spring and Summer show for 2020. This region was also where the designer spent his childhood. At the fashion show, the designer highlighted pink pastels and other shades reminiscent of the spring hues of the region. For the fashion house’s 10th anniversary, the lavender fields of France were the perfect setting.
Florence Royalty Gucci 2018
Gucci’s 2018 Resort line needed a stunning location that was fitting of this Italian designer giant. The creative mind behind the show, Alessandro Michele, picked Florence’s Palazzo Pitti as the fashion event’s venue. This regal setting was the perfect complement for the Gucci haute couture designs that year, which featured extravagant details that were similar to Renaissance paintings.
Carousel Rides Chanel Fall 2008
Karl Lagerfeld’s show for Chanel’s Fall 2008 line took whimsy and creativity to the next level. For this iconic and memorable fashion show, Lagerfeld envisioned a glitzy carousel as the centerpiece for the styles and looks. The carousel was made of pearls, purses, and bows. During the show, models climbed onto the carousel to bring the designs to life and give everyone at the event something to talk about.
Fashion is like today’s modern art. Designers and creators have worked diligently to put together memorable fashion show events that will get their designs and work noticed. These incredible fashion shows featured innovative set designs or one-of-a-kind locations and give the future of the fashion industry inspiration for the next big event.
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