5 spectacular tech-infused fashion shows

5 spectacular tech-infused fashion shows

Fashion is not just about pretty dresses. Oftentimes, it’s an experiment in terms of materials and technology, as well as a fantasy about the future. Let’s explore five spectacular fashion shows that were not only examples of sophisticated design but cases of searching for meaning. 

Hussein Chalayan’s “The Tangent Flows” collection of 1998 was inspired by the metal oxidation process. He buried silk fabric that had metal content in the garden for 1.5 months and then used it to create garments. He aimed to study how fashion could die and be revolved. After that collection, Chalayan kept experimenting with tech.

The most tech-infused look created by Chalayan was a part of the “Before minus now” collection of 2000: it was a dress on the remote control. The show featured a white dress made of hard composite material. Pushing a button would change the look of the dress: the back of the dress would go up and reveal airy layers of blush pink tulle. The dress was made from the materials usually used for airplane construction.

Chalayan used technology again in the “After words” collection dedicated to relocation and forced emigration. The collection reflected Hussein Chalayan’s own life experience – he knew what it was like to leave beloved things behind. The runway looked like a typical home interior. The models took household objects one by one as they walked around the runway. The show culminated in a model who stood inside the coffee table that then transformed into a wooden skirt.

The “No. 13” collection of Alexander McQueen was a fantasy about fashion becoming a soulless robot fixated on profit. In our “Alexander McQueen, trees, and inspiration” post, we talked about that fashion show: the robots painted all over the white dress worn by a model, making the show one of the most spectacular in fashion history. Alexander McQueen was renowned for his exciting, beautiful ideas.

His fashion show of 2006 was a journey to the future. In the show’s finale, the guests saw a floating hologram of Kate Moss wearing an organza dress. At the time, Kate Moss was involved in a drug-related scandal, and McQueen included that illusion in the show to support his close friend.

Iris van Herpen is a famous hi-tech devotee. The designer uses 3D modeling and laser cutting to create her one-of-a-kind collections. Dresses that feature hundreds of organza layers echo the model’s movements and resemble some extraterrestrial living and breathing creatures.

You couldn’t have missed that sensational Spring Summer 2023 collection by Coperni. The video where Bella Hadid had a dress sprayed onto her body during the show went viral. The spray-on dress was invented by Spanish chemist Manel Torres – he created liquid cotton fiber capable of solidifying on a human body and becoming a clothing item. 

Anrealage debuted color-changing chameleon-like garments at Paris Fashion Week. The audience saw minimalist monochrome clothes that later were lit up with UV rays and revealed prints.

Fashion appreciates experimentation – and that is why it’s so exciting to study and explore it. There is always room for experimentation in our casual lives, too. Try new things, be brave, and learn. And make sure to reward yourself for determination and courage, even if your attempts weren’t fruitful because experience is priceless.

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