In a recent MBFWA event, a designer certainly derived from the norm and decided to not do a traditional runway show. Instead, the models strutted in and around and empty swimming pool - the Bondi Icebergs pool in Sydney. The show was for Ten Pieces' new collection - Stripes. The label emphasises on modest unisex clothing in collections of ten items which can then be paired together in different ways - the show had twenty different looks. This is such fun way to step out of the box with something which is typically done in a consistent and predictable way. I like when the event is thought of more than just a way to showcase clothes - it's an experience and the correct location and ambiance is vital to achieving the intended effect.
Here is the new campaign for Rag & Bone's Fall/Winter 2015 men's collection and it's one of the best campaigns I've seen in the past few years. Featuring Lil Buck and the legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov, both dancers, its images are full of life despite the colour palette containing mostly muted tones - my favourite. The brand also chose to release a three-minute film in substitution of a runway show. Marcus Wainwright, designer and managing partner of Rag & Bone along with David Neville, stated in a recent interview with Women's Wear Daily that "runway shows don't resonate with the regular guy," and that looking at men's runway shows online has become "repetitive and boring". The concept of the collection, urban armour, is very relatable and has an incredibly wide range as shown by the two dancers who each represent a vast difference in style and appearance as well as two separate generations. The way it's presented is revolutionary - it raises the question whether or not fashion shows will one day be a thing of the past, yielding to this new way of showcasing collections, making events like fashion week look a bit more like an elite film festival.
