This season had it all
The SS19 menswear shows just came to an end, and there were many unforgettable moments that you couldn’t have missed because they were literally all over Instagram. More than just gimmicks for the ’gram, they were also eye-catching in the best way. Here, we round up all the Instagram-worthy things you couldn’t have possibly missed at fashion week.
PREGNANT ALIEN MODELS AT XANDER ZHOU
For SS19, London-based designer Xander Zhou looked to the future, with a collection that featured ‘super-terrestrial extraterrestrial prints’, high-tech layered looks and, above all, pregnant male models parading down the runway. Courtesy of make-up artist Isamaya Ffrench, the prosthetics looked very real with the models dressed in rolled up tees to show off their round baby bumps. Others appeared wearing alien-like blue contacts. Let’s be real, it was out of this world.
FANCY DRESS COSTUMES AT ROTTINGDEAN BAZAAR
To celebrate their third and last appearance as part of the MAN initiative, James Theseus Buck and Luke Brooks – the two designers behind Rottingdean Bazaar – decided to throw a fancy dress party with models carrying “For Rent” placards. Yes, actual fancy dress costumes – among them a pumpkin, sweetcorn, worm, and Christmas tree. Why? “We didn’t want to have to loan the collection out next season, you know, we don’t have a PR or anything,” the duo told us backstage. “If stylists want to borrow looks, they’ll have to get in touch with the stores we hired them from. We found that quite funny.”
A-COLD-WALL*’S IMMERSIVE SHOW SLASH PERFORMANCE
This season at A-COLD-WALL*, Samuel Ross elevated the traditional show format into an immersive art performance. Guests were given protective gear AKA ACW*-branded lab glasses, earplugs, and face masks, prompting selfies, but the real IG gold came when the show started. Ominous grey-painted figures in hooded outfits walking through the space, often holding up sculptures that surrounded the models. For the #extra finale, the group tore apart a giant polystyrene box to reveal a naked, red-painted man inside. He pushed the sculpture along in front of a bemused Virgil Abloh, who sat on the front row. It had to be seen to be believed.
BART SIMPSON SHOWING UP AT OFF-WHITE
Only a few days before his debut show for Louis Vuitton, Virgil Abloh presented a more playful and youth-inspired collection for his own label, Off-White. Who better to represent teen rebels than Bart Simpson? A nod to his teenage years, Abloh printed the cartoon character on tees with some of his most famous sayings. Most notably: “I’m Bart Simpson, who the hell are you?”
COLOURED SMOKE FILLED THE AIR OF RICK OWENS’ SHOW
Inviting guests to the Palais de Tokyo for his show is almost a tradition for Rick Owens. What was less common is the invites that took shape of a black mask, a useful – and Instagram-ready – gift for the smokey setting invading the catwalk. Vivid blue, yellow, red, and green smoke bombs were released in the air, changing colours as the show advanced, and giving a spectacular effect to the collection that emerged from the clouds of smoke. As for the clothes, they were just as social-friendly with models like Dazed 100er Tommy Cash walking the runway in poncho-cum-tents.
THAT HUG AT VIRGIL’S LOUIS VUITTON DEBUT
For what was probably the most longed-for show of the season, all eyes were on Louis Vuitton’s new men’s artistic director, Virgil Abloh. The designer couldn’t refrain his tears as he walked down the interminable rainbow catwalk, hailed by thousands of guests – including fashion students and the industry’s crème de la crème. Kanye West was also part of the front row and didn’t hesitate to hug his BFF as a sign of support and recognition. We’re not crying, you’re crying!
GIANT KAWS SCULPTURE AT DIOR MEN
Another highly awaited show, Kim Jones made his first step as artistic director of the newly renamed Dior Men. In the middle of the circular set – towering over guests like Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Virgil Abloh, and Karl Lagerfeld – a huge floral sculpture in the shape of a pink, cartoon character had been erected. Made by NYC-based artist KAWS, (real name Brian Donnelly), the sculpture was commissioned by Jones who also asked the artist to rework the maison’s iconic bee.
AND... THE JEWELLERY AT COMME DES GARÇONS HOMME PLUS
After creating triceratops-adorned sneakers last year and dinosaur headpieces for AW18, Rei Kawakubo was back with golden chain necklaces from which were hanging crocodile jaws. In a collection made of tailored looks in organza camo, vivid colour and florals, the necklaces added a frightening twist and once again demonstrated Rei’s seeming obsession with reptiles – and as surprising as it sounds, these might soon be a sell-out too.