Initial reaction:
Red carpet dressing turned on its head. Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren must be the first designers to execute a collection entirely out of red carpet, as opposed to creating dresses FOR the red carpet.
Unconventional materials:
Last season it was nude latex, this season it's red carpet, made especially for Viktor & Rolf by a Dutch carpet company Desso who produced a luscious ruby red pile for the duo to twist, knot and drape into dresses that almost resembled bath towels from afar. As the final show of the schedule, they're once again questioning the traditions of haute couture and asking what is luxurious. Carpet dresses might sound farfetched but looked convincing, especially when paired with matching flocked flat brogues.
Celebrity culture comment:
It's doubtful that Horsting and Snoeren are mocking celebrity culture as they sent their red carpet dresses down errr… the red carpet, especially as you scanned the front row of V&R dressed IT-chicks. When accompanied by a live performance of the rhythmic sound of American composer Steve Reich's “Clapping Music” though, the red carpet here was a far cry from any awards ceremony. In that robotic and precise clapping soundtrack, it sounds almost like we, the consumers of celebrity culture, are becoming bored of the red carpet. The jig is definitely up as we've sussed out their stylists and become all the more savvy and cynical about celebrity style.
The soundtrack to Viktor & Rolf Haute Couture AW14:
Last season, Viktor & Rolf presented Dutch National Ballet dancers clad in latex. See it below:
