The runways are awash with sci-fi influences this season and next. Keng Yang Shuen, self-proclaimed geek of the genre, wonders what this new frontier in space age fashion means for the times.
By now, you’ve probably heard about the 35m-tall, hydraulic-fuelled, double “C”-flanked rocket that Chanel sent throttling up the dome of Paris’ Grand Palais for its F/W ’17 show in March. For those who didn’t, well, it stopped short of breaking through the glass roof. Nonetheless, it still made for one of the brand’s (and season’s) most spectacular finales, closing a soaring display that saw models circle down the runway in mod-style minis, glitter boots, metallic quilted wraps and Barbarellaesque blowouts to the tune of – what else – Rocket Man.
A week and a half before that, Italian mammoth Gucci staged its own cosmic parade for Fall/Winter: a trippy set that reimagined a mad scientist’s laboratory (mirrored pyramid centrepiece in tow) with models channelling the style of alien princes and princesses (cue bug-covered biker vests and shiny mesh gimp masks). And while you’re waiting for next season’s looks to drop in stores, why not stop by Coach, which pays tribute to American space missions with the Nasa logo and galaxy prints on tees and outerwear as part of its Pre-fall collection?
Fashion’s fascination with science fiction and its various sub-genres and imagery is far from new, but it’s hard to ignore how it now seems to be expanding and stepping up on its efforts to join the space race (however symbolically). Indeed, a look at the designers who have previously planted their flag in this futuristic realm would mostly compute as novelties, niche or one-of-a-kind iconic.
This story is from the July 2017 edition of Female Singapore.
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This story is from the July 2017 edition of Female Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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A Not So Common Scent
For the first time, the singular house of Hermes has launched a chypre perfume fragrance type known for its complexity and dualistic nature a that comes in a first-of-its-kind bottle, no less. Keng Yang Shuen finds out more about Barenia, Hermes's latest scent that hit stores recently, from the brand's in-house perfumer Christine Nagel.
Strange Love
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The artist
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spirited away
Collaborations with the art world have become a trusted way of injecting novelty into fashion.
Showtime
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mother!
FOR AN EDITION CENTRED AROUND NOSTALGIA, HOW COULD WE NOT HEAR FROM THE ONES WHO'VE SEEN THEIR RESPECTIVE INDUSTRIES CHANGE OVER TIME? SIX RENOWNED AND BELOVED CULTURAL AUTHORITIES IN FASHION, DESIGN AND CULTURE IN SINGAPORE SHARE WHAT THEY'VE LEARNT, WHAT THEY MISS AND WHAT WHAT KEEPS THEM GOING.
the art of reflection
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thank you for the memories
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Super Natural
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