Gucci’s SS18 Show was Thought Provoking and Extraordinarily Chaotic
Earlier this month, Gucci showed their Spring Summer 2018 Ready-to-Wear collection in Milan. The collection included a seemingly disjointed cast of characters presented on an equally thought-provoking stage.
Electronic dance beats blared as the show kicked off in a dark and hazy room at Gucci’s headquarters. Colored lights flashed about the room showing glimpses of architectural elements and sculptures that seemed to have been transported directly out of the ancient Mediterranean. Post-apocalyptic was the first word that came to mind.
In an Instagram post regarding the inspiration for the show space, Gucci said, “The runway is Tiber river; while the map is juxtaposed with the layout of the Imperial Fora, dotted with classical statues from different periods and cultures. The backdrop is an early medieval structure with a double portico and the runway features three arches in Indian, Aztec and Egyptian styles. Surfaces in bubbled pvc and streetlights give a metropolitan feel.”
The lights stayed low and the music beat on as the models began to strut the winding, geometric runway. The incoherent feeling was only further complicated by the equally disjointed cast of characters that appeared in the extensive collection.
The first look of the show had a Working Girl vibe complete with over-sized glasses and feathered hair reminiscent of 1970s Farah-Fawcett. Although there was a recurring 1970's influence, this was just one of the many themes explored within the show. There was also a clash of the modern vs. vintage, futuristic vs. traditional, and a blurring of the season. Designer Alessandro Michele didn’t feel the need to stay within the lines when it came to creative expression. The models wore it all: fur coats and sandals, tusk jewelry and eastern embroidery, shoulder pads and cartoon characters. The show was truly a feast for the eyes and a puzzle for the mind.