Watch & Listen: Runway Shows That Explored Fashion And Technology


By Dan Ahwa
Viva
Alexander McQueen Spring 1999 / Supplied.

This year's Met Gala theme Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology explores the complex but inspiring dichotomy between handmade haute couture and machine-made fashion. We take a look at the most memorable runway shows and collections that explored these ideas.

Holograms: Alexander McQueen Fall 2006Who can forget the

Metamorphosis: Hussein Chalayan Spring 2007The collection that gave us the infamous bubble dress was an early pre-cursor to present day conversations around fast fashion and modern technology. Garments transformed, peeled away and disappeared without the models having to lift a finger.

All access drones: Fendi Fall 2014Perhaps annoying for actual showgoers, drones circled above the heads of models on the runway and guests, live streaming content to viewers at home.

Google alert: Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2013Models wearing glasses made in collaboration with Google captured the scene around them for a video post show.

Water works: Polo Ralph Lauren Spring 2015A development from McQueen’s Fall 2006 show, this was described by Ralph Lauren as a 4D holographic water projection. Models were projected against a 20 metre high fountain in Manhattan's Central Park.

The robots: Alexander McQueen Spring 1999The breath taking famous finale saw supermodel Shalom Harlow stand on a rotating turntable while being spray-painted by two industrial robots. The collection was inspired by the artist Rebecca Horn's installation piece of two machine guns firing paint at each other.

Iridescent Light: Balenciaga Spring 2009Opening with Bjork's eerie track Hunter, this show highlighted then creative director Nicolas Ghesquiere's love of sci-fi references and retro futurism. The collection changed colour as models walked down the runway, adapting to the changing light and colour projected from the venue's lighting.

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