Autumn Unlimited Fashion Show
It should be highlighted that last week’s fashion show had no grandeur or glamour associated with the kind of gala fashion shows such as the Met Gala, where there would be billions of dollars’ worth of marketing budget available for the show. This particular fashion show is an independent show in its own right and does not need any kind of celebrity approval to make it happen.
An Intimate, Unfiltered Atmosphere
Once the guests were ushered into the venue, it was evident that the event would not be perfect, but rather an imperfect performance. Everything about the setting was rough, with the lights being industrial, the stages bare, and even a makeshift runway. This did not give any impression of incompleteness but only served to give the impression of intimacy that cannot be attained by anything perfect.
Courtesy of David Loran JrDesigners Who Chose Story Over Trends
The first thing that immediately struck me was how personal the collections were. Unlike in typical fashion shows, where the latest fashion trends are simply repeated, the designers of this show did not seem to care much about making the collections commercially attractive. Instead, they used the collections to tell their stories. The second collection consisted of deconstructed designs. The hemlines were left unfinished, and the shapes were asymmetric. At first sight, it appeared to be quite chaotic, but after some time, the underlying message started to emerge. The idea was that imperfection is what forms one’s identity.
An example of another intriguing collection would be one based on the heritage culture. Ethnic patterns were combined to create streetwear-type clothes. This is not merely an imitation of the heritage culture; rather, it is a reflection of one’s roots. What I liked most about the event was the way the world of fashion was changed.
Courtesy of David Loran JrWhen Creativity Misses the Mark
But, let us be honest with ourselves, not everything was flawless. There were those designers whose ideas seemed more concerned with the idea itself than with how it could be worn. In addition, there were some designers whose collections seemed like they tried too hard to be unique and failed as a result. Specifically, one of the collections concentrated on exaggerating its shape with huge shoulders and multiple layers stacked upon each other.
However, such a flaw was a vital part of the whole process. This is the risk inherent in independent fashion; it provides freedom to experiment and, accordingly, fail. But in my opinion, failure in fashion is much more fascinating than a boring and conservative approach used by many brands.
Real Models, Real Presence
There was something else in the models which added another dimension to the entire event. In contrast to conventional fashion shows, where the models tend to be generic, there appeared to be a conscious attempt to employ individuals who had character. Various physiques, personalities, self-assurance, and even nerves. The presence of real people added another dimension for me personally. It served as a reminder that, not only is fashion about clothing, but it is also about the real people behind those clothes.
Courtesy of David Loran JrAn Audience That Actually Reacted
The response of the viewers was equally illuminating. They did not applaud politely as would be expected from this kind of fashion event. The crowd reacted – vocally. From murmurs of surprise to applause and cheers to some confused murmurs. It was as if the exhibition was actually a performance, and this added to the motivation of the designers in their creations. There was a clear indication of which garment worked and which failed, and this made interaction between the artists and the spectators possible.
No Pretense, Just Purpose
However, the aspect of the event that made it most enjoyable for me was the absence of pretense. There were no attempts to turn the event into something like Paris Fashion Week, where everything was done to create some hype or wear something that would impress the critics. However, at the same time, it was still what it should be – work.
Just like Diana Vreeland said, “Fashion is part of the daily air and it changes all the time, with all the events. You can even see the approaching of a revolution in clothes. You can see and feel everything in clothes,” according to Harpers Bazaar
Where It Needs to Improve
On the other hand, there were some areas wherein improvement is needed if ever this kind of presentation is to succeed in the future. There were several instances during the performance wherein there were problems with timing and synchronization, specifically long breaks in between set pieces that broke the flow of the performance. Even though the production aspect was deliberately made very simple, sometimes, it actually became distracting.
The other concern is that of accessibility versus exclusivity. As much as one of the attractions of this event is that it is relatively raw, as it gains more popularity, it becomes increasingly harder to keep that element while still retaining professionalism.
Courtesy of David Loran JrWhy This Event Actually Mattered
Ultimately, what happened on the final Saturday was not just an event in fashion. It reminded us of what fashion is really all about. It didn’t have anything to do with raising status or following trends, but there was something else that needed to be said, even if not all the collections succeeded.
Whereas fashion itself may be all about perfection, this particular fashion event was about possibilities. And at the moment, possibilities seem much more exciting.
By David Loran Jr
A successful Editor-in-Chief, journalist for over 6 years, writing about important topics that are going on within the U.S. and beyond.
Harpers Bazaar: The 87 Greatest Fashion Quotes of All Time
Featured Image Courtesy of David Loran Jr
Inset Image Courtesy of David Loran Jr
