Fashion Show Productions

[Crying Diamonds]

The point in putting on an extremely expensive, glossy fashion show is to show clothing designs to potential buyers, but often, by watching the show, one might build an entirely different opinion on a collection to the one you would have had if you had just seen it in pictures.
That's because everything about the show (from the runway, the lighting, the audience layout to the music and the way the models walk) is controlled to emphasize the clothes, the concept, the ideas, therefore an awful collection could seem completely fabulous.

Recognizing this, what are some of the best shows you've seen?

I'm in love with Givenchy A/W 12-13 at the moment. It's incredibly dramatic, and really adds to the power of the clothes.

 

[mistress_f]

i'm sure i'll be coming back to this thread, but for now the first show that came to my head is McQueen fall 2007. everything was perfect.

 

[Fashion_Girl22]

Great thread!

That particular Givenchy show is a prime example of how a well produced show can tie a runway presentation together and make it complete.

In my opinion, Hedi Slimane's shows at Dior Homme were always something to look forward to.

Fall/Winter 2006-07 is, by far, the one that stands out to me the most:

life.com

"It was dark and cold; it was hard to see except for the path lights strategically placed so that guests can come in at the Tennis Club de Paris, the venue for the Dior Home Fall 2006 catwalk show. Hedi Slimane was setting the stage for a dramatic yet minimalist show.

The runway was all black, and the stage was all black, too, except that when the music began, fire erupted on the floor and a lone pole, similar to the ones where witches were burnt ages and ages ago
And as always with Dior Homme shows, there is live music at the end. Eight Legs, a string trio composed and performed ‘These Grey Days’ specifically for Dior Homme.

It was to the sound of their music that all the models took their bows, all of them wearing the same tuxedos. The applause was deafening as Hedi Slimane came out literally from the dark to be on the spotlight for a precious few seconds to accept the kudos that was rightfully earned." - fashionwindows.com

 

[TianSoFine]

I think so many McQueen and Chanel shows are really spectacular.

 

[thiago:)]

^ Yes, that's so true! The Dior Haute Couture shows pre-2007 were also magnificent.

 

[Fashionturnip]

Burberrys Prorsums have looked pretty great for the last few years...

 

[MulletProof]

Big glossy productions do nothing for me unless they're really good I guess. I just get past that quite easily.. if the collection's awful and the production's looks like a billion dollars I actually can't help to get a bad impression from the designer when it comes to his priorities as an actual creator..

I can think of several Junya Watanabe and Yohji Yamamoto shows where the production was so solemn, perfect lighting, casting, music that the beauty of the clothes multiplied by a thousand in a matter of minute. Fashion orgasm you could call it!. I can think of so many of these particular two but the first time (being too young and all) when I realised it wasn't all about Galliano and bringing horses and an entire circus on stage and that you could have something so perfectly inspirational in its own quietness was during Yohji Yamamoto S/S 2002:

Then of course, all of McQueen's pre-2005 shows that created magical moments for almost every shown ensemble.

My ultimate favorite productions are probably Antonio Marras.. when he's at his most creative, he manages to create exactly the kind of dream-like atmosphere the clothes themselves emit..

[firstview.com, stylebistro]

 

[rosalynn]

It's a fine balance for me - I do love the show, but sometimes, like excessive styling, it can be a distraction. I think a well-produced show should explain the narrative and compliment the collection, but sometimes they need to remember it's a fashion show, and it can be a bit frustrating to see an average collection presented on a runway that looks like it is out of a Hollywood movie as you have to wonder if somewhere their priorities are wrong.

Have to say I really enjoy Burberry's shows, and have enjoyed a few Marc Jacobs ones before, too - was it A/W 10/11 where Marc unwrapped a box with all the models in? I loved that. Rodarte have done a few nice shows, too, and - rather surprisingly perhaps - I loved McQ last season with the leaves and the finale.

 

[christian zh]

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2008


Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2008


Everything was perfect, truly couture collections.

 

[Vitamine W]

What a great thread cryingdiamonds!

Let's start off with Alexander McQueen cos we all know he owns this thread already. Obviously his older shows belong here but first that came to mind is one of his more recent ones. From the biblical references combined with the futuristic art direction, from the mirror prints ( that are still present on the runways) to the renowned claw shoes. This was an immaculate production on so many levels. He is missed...

Alexander McQueen S/S 10

 

[mistress_f]

An early century side-show with a diverse cast, amazing soundtrack and enough theatrics to make it a real show but not too many to distract from the clothes. One of my favourites ever from John, s/s 2006 John Galliano

 

[Denes]

Marc Jacobs Fall 2008 with Sonic Youth

 

[*Bianca*]

The most inspiring productions for me have been ones that create those moments; you feel something, you get goosebumps, you sometimes even tear up. But they don't always have to be grand theatrics to get that reaction.

Some of my favourite McQueen/Gainsbury & Whiting shows would be Sarabande, Deliverance/They Shoot Horses Don't They, Widows of Culloden, It's Only a Game, and the more theatrical The Overlook and Voss.

 

[GivenchyHomme]

I still love the Prada F/W09 show. The music was just incredible and the way the models walked alongside the music was fantastic. And of course that finale. It was subtly dramatic.

willyegang tumblr

 

[Phuel]

Without a doubt, and forever the best fashion presentation remains Gaultier's S/S 1994. THhs was profound and trailblazing in its production: It wasn't some multi-million dollar empty spectacle like those of Chanel; it wasn't some pompous, exclusive artsy concept like those of early Chalayan; it wasn't a boring, bloated celebritiy-fest like Versace-- this show was revolutionary and visionary in its sincerity and simplicity in uniting people in the name of fashion. Gaultier was way ahead of his time by casting the supers, the girls of the moment, street people and cult celebrities and giving them all equal billing. And no need to remind everyone how genuinely inclusive Gaultier has always been by casting models of color and individuality, and culture, and his true love and passion of cultures. And I'm sure McQueen, Tischi and Galliano were all watching this show eagerly, as the styles, the productions, the attitudes and beauty Gaultier generously proposed here would end up being some of their own trademarks.

This is only part 1-- the show is over an hour. To be in that audience must of been a genuine fashion moment as the vibe looks magical and transcendent!

 

[Crying Diamonds]

Olivier Theyskens A/W 1999-2000
I just remember those flashing lights and then this wall just coming out of the darkness. It gave me one of those goosebump, but sinister feelings that *Bianca* was talking about

 

[Chanelcouture09]

My favorites are mainly the spectacles Lee has produced in some of his most infamous collections -

To this day Fall 2006 will always remain as my favorite collection/productions, the moment the lights dim and the soundtrack to shindlers list blares from the sound system the hairs on my spine stand on end, the collection will always be a hit in my eyes, for me Lee was never an attention seeker with his productions/theatrics he just wowed us out of sheer talent whereas we can compare other designers and their constant need for attention, he was never like that, he kept us glued to what he did next because he was a genius, I can somewhat understand why Sarah Burton exclaimed that she could never match his brilliance in terms of productions, because you've only got to glare at this collection to understand how brilliant he really was, among many others that we could all remark as 'his best' they were all 'his best'.



Fall 2005;

I don't know what it is about this collection nor its production that makes me love it, the soundtrack is great also, I think that makes a great production also, the soundtrack can either bore us or entertain us.

 

[Fashion_Girl22]

Christian Dior Fall/Winter 1999 Haute Couture

Reading old reviews, the collection apparently wasn't received too well (though, Anna Wintour seemed to love it in Boss Women), but it is, by far, one of my favorite Galliano/Dior shows.

Production by La Mode en Images
(responsible for a lot of Galliano's '90s pre-Bureau Betak shows)

wonderful-town.com

Full Show: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

 

[christian zh]

^ I've got the show two days. Can't post it at the moment, because my YouTube channel got deleted, but I'm woking on it.

 

[wannabemodelbook]

Hugo Boss F/W 2011

http://vimeo.com/32036280