Milan Fashion Week looked quite different this year, with designers trying to put on shows amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to be safe and follow guidelines, social distanced and digital shows were the new norm this year.
Moschino’s Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear show was unique in it’s showing— it was a cinematic experience that showcased 40 puppet-size looks in a marionette fashion show.
Jeremy Scott, the creative director of the Moschino fashion house, suspected that a runway show was not going to happen when quarantine set in. When doing his research, Scott was inspired by Théâtre de la Mode, the post-World War II touring exhibit of miniature couture creations. During this time, French designers sent these mini-collections on the road to revive the fashion industry amidst scarce supplies and clients left unable to travel.
Scott created marionettes of his favorite models to showcase the 40 looks with the help of Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, and his Creature Shop. Each marionette stood at around 30 inches tall and “walked” the runway with violins playing softly in the background.
While the looks were miniature, they didn’t lack detail. Each of the looks was first made into life-size versions and later scaled down to fit the puppets. The attention to detail was seen in how well each garment fit the dolls–the authentic properties of the clothes were not lost. The designs of the show were greatly inspired by haute couture, seen through the elaborate colors and structures of the garments. Many of the puppets were also seen carrying miniature Moschino bags down the catwalk.
The dress shown above exhibits a blue tulle ruffles exploding out of another dress that is unzipped at the bustier.
To make the scenery of the show more authentic, 14 guests were sitting along the runway–all of them iconic and well known in the world of fashion. Some of these guests included Anna Wintour from American Vogue, Vanessa Friedman from The New York Times and Vogue Japan editor Anna Dello Russo. The guests were seen whispering to each other, taking notes and even snapping photos on their minature phones—which really added an extra ambiance to the cinematic show.
While Moschino’s fashion show wasn’t seen in person, the elaborate production was still able to capture the whimsical nature of a ‘normal’ show. It gave viewers a break from reality and submerged them in the magical world of fashion. Check out the entire collection here.
