Scene, by All: NYFW AW 2014
Highlights from innovative presentations at the biannual celebration of fashion
There’s more to Fashion Week than what’s draped across the models or the attendees at runway shows. With an ever-crowding competitive schedule, more brands have begun to embrace innovation in presentations—like last season’s show-stopping debut from Opening Ceremony. No longer just a stroll down the catwalk; performance and theatrics contribute to shows being must-see events, with all elements supporting the clothing and accessories in one harmonious happening. After months (if not years) of work, it only makes sense to introduce a new line amidst an equally expressive event. From walls dripping chocolate to a mind-bending hydraulic opera, here are some of our favorites this season.
Photographer and blogger,
William Yan captured an unexpected moment at this season’s Mark McNairy presentation. “McNairy always surprises people with special guests on his runway shows and this time it’s none other than Killa Cam himself,” he explains to CH. “It was so fun to shoot because Cam’ron walked down the runway stunting on people and even managed to pose a bit at the end of the runway and this was my money shot.”
Phil Oh, Vogue contributing photographer and Editor in Chief at Street Peeper, snapped an in-motion picture at Hood by Air (HBA) that conveys the increasing amount of performance during Fashion Week. HBA designer Shayne Oliver had his models stomp down the runway and conclude in an impressive session of voguing.
Without a doubt, Moncler‘s hydraulic opera, Winter Symphony, presented one of the most powerful experiences all week. Fashion writer Jim Shi landed an up-close video of the production. He explains that extraordinary is ordinary for the brand: “Having been to my fair share of Moncler events over the last decade, I’ve come to expect nothing but a spectacle of the very best kind from CEO Remo Ruffini—especially with Villa Eugenie producing.” He refers to their shows as being, “always a visual smorgasbord of delight, and with the static backdrop of models juxtaposed against the well-paced Pendulum Choir, I felt an in-action Instagram video would best capture the feeling.” Fortunately, those who missed can watch the entire opera
online.
Opening Ceremony wowed the discerning crowds of Fashion Week once again. This time around, real chocolate was dripping from the walls of the Antwerp-inspired show; creating a moving backdrop that emitted the sweetest scent. Parisian blogger Mathieu Lebreton, publisher of Daaamn took a detail shot, revealing some of its texture. He notes, “I was, in fact, inspired first by the scent, then by the chocolate in motion. I think that Opening Ceremony is one of the best to offer a show with an experiment for all the senses.”
While Alexander Wang often garners attention for what he brings to the style world, some NYFW attendees were surprised that he held his show at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Wang brought his show to life with a moving platform that added a nice spin. Ever-present fashion fan Peter Brant II caught a superb video from one of the best seats in the house.
At NYC’s New Museum, clothing brand Telfar complimented its runway show with 3D-printed versions of their models, made by shapeways. Illustrator and animator Paul Tuller snagged a magic moment: “I could tell the models were genuinely excited to find their 3D miniatures, so it was cool to see an unscripted part of the presentation. It also removed that line between audience and model.”
Model Jaranin S. Hudson was one of only a few to capture a noteworthy image of Maison Martin Margiela‘s MM6 presentation, with this photo. He described the event as being almost perfect, encircling an intense musical performance.
“It’s always good fun when a fashion show is equal parts fashion and show,” InStyle Editor in Chief Ariel Foxman says. “Tommy’s ski chalet winter wonderland did that this week for his strong collection of romantic, cozy mountain-inspired looks. It was extra special to be in the snow, yet warm and dry!” Foxman’s photo captures the wondrous alpine nature of the Tommy Hilfiger set.
Thom Browne always manages to turn the fashion world on its head. This year, he took everyone to church, featuring nasty nuns and religious iconography. Alyssa Shapiro, Style Editor at BlackBook Magazine landed a photo that expresses it all. “Browne’s shows conjure a mood using almost all of the senses—all that was missing this season was the bread and wine. As glamorous as the women were, some dripping in gold, that creepy undertone would pervade. And I love that,” she says. Also noting that it was a superb follow-up to last season’s mental institution theme.
Refinery29’s Associate Fashion Editor Willow Lindley captured the scene at Prabal Garung best, with a magnificent photo showcasing the event’s grandeur. “The Prabal Gurung show was so dark and moody with the beautiful gold gongs hanging in the middle,” she says. “During the final walk, the sea of red was pretty overwhelming—glamour, defined! I got quite snap happy and this was my favorite out of what I took. I can’t help but think that these ladies really resemble the red dancing emoji.”
Scene, by All highlights festivals, openings, parties and other events through multiple perspectives of people who were there. Our editors select social media posts by participants, guests and our own contributors, pairing images with quotes, history, audio and other relevant content, to create multimedia collages that dynamically capture a moment in time.
