Moschino RTW Spring 2021

Jeremy Scott is the designer and mastermind behind the Moschino Spring 2021 fashion/puppet show that took place in September 2020 and showcased the latest Moschino couture exactly as we would normally see it! Except… the clothes were adorned by 30-inch-tall puppet models who ‘walked’ the runway and the illustrious front row was filled with specially crafted dolls of editors and fashion industry stars. 40 looks were paraded down the runway as those in the front row seemingly watched, following the mini-models with their eyes, all being moved by the puppeteers behind the scenes to create the illusion of a fashion show but in a pandemic-friendly way. Scott was inspired by Théâtre de la Mode, a touring show of Paris fashion looks in miniature which aimed to raise funds for World War 2 veterans[1] and worked with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop in order to bring the show to life.

When asked about if the show was a metaphor for something deeper and a perhaps more sinister take on our society, Scott said that simply ‘the best thing [he] could do for everyone who is stressed about the election, the pandemic, social unrest, and the future was to give the gift of fantasy and take us away from all of it for a few minutes; let us enjoy this little fashion world of ours’[2] and then hatched the idea to create a show that people could enjoy from the safety and comfort of their own homes. It also utilised the growing power of social media, as images spread quickly across sites such as Twitter and Instagram, only exposing this innovative show to more people. Scott’s reason for hosting such a show in this way was to give people the same experience and feeling of going to a fashion show but obviously considering how things would have the be different with COVID restrictions still in full swing across the whole world. He asked himself, ‘what would be the best way for me to give the same experience that you’re used to, coming to see my shows live? How could I give you that whimsy, that magic, that fantasy?’[3]

However, even though the clothes and models may have been miniature, the project was anything but. This puppet show actually cost more to produce than an in-person runway show[4] as each design had to be made and then miniaturised for each mini model without loosing the quality and wow-factor of the full scale designs and the models all made specially for the Scott with the puppeteers to go with them. ‘It was a super undertaking, not only to build everything in their world, the audience and the clothes of the audience, but to miniaturize the looks of the collection and put together the team to create the build, and direct and edit the film’[5] Scott said of the project, which he had to commit to in April of last year, five months before it was to go ahead. With times being so uncertain at that point and the end of the pandemic a complete mystery, Scott had to decide regardless of whether things were back to any kind of normal by September or not.

I would say that was an excellent decision and the show was a great success and example of how everything and everyone has had to make compromises over this last year to their plans and everyday life. I personally found the show and the whole idea so innovative and unique and a very creative solution to not being able to give people the full fashion show experience with large gatherings. The puppets and designs were all amazing quality and the wow-factor was certainly not lost, and if anything, it was only magnified with the addition of the miniature models and awe at how the clothes had not lost any form of quality when being sized down to fit the puppets. I also enjoyed how the show was inclusive, with puppets replicating models of all different races and ethnicities. The fashion industry is constantly faced with calls to make their shows and collections more inclusive and although not all the boxes are ticked here, it is nice to see a wide range of different models represented here.

Overall, I think the show was a success and very innovative, as sites like Vogue seem to agree. It will be interesting to see how the fashion industry evolves and responds to this and if something like this will become a more common occurrence, even if the end of the times of COVID are finally in sight. It would definitely take the industry in a new and creative direction and would be amazing to see how this could be stepped up even more. I guess only time will tell what Scott’s next big ideas will be and how this show impacts future runways and designers.

Bibliography

Anders Christian Madsen, “From Jeremy Scott at Moschino, a Celebration of the Magic, Whimsy, and Fantasy of Fashion in 40 Puppet-Sized Looks”, Vogue. 26th September 2020. Web. 3rd March 2021. https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2021-ready-to-wear/moschino

Moore, Booth. “Moschino RTW Spring 2021”, WWD, Penske Media Corporation. 26th September 2020. Web. 17th March 2021. https://wwd.com/runway/spring-ready-to-wear-2021/milan/moschino/review/

[1] Booth Moore, “Moschino RTW Spring 2021”, WWD, Penske Media Corporation. 26th September 2020. [2] Jeremy Scott quoted in Anders Christian Madsen, “From Jeremy Scott at Moschino, a Celebration of the Magic, Whimsy, and Fantasy of Fashion in 40 Puppet-Sized Looks”, Vogue. 26th September 2020. [3] Jeremy Scott quoted in Madsen, “From Jeremy Scott at Moschino” [4] Madsen, “From Jeremy Scott at Mischino” [5] Jeremy Scott quoted in Moore, “Moschino RTW 2021,”

Illustrations

Puppets modelling the Moschino Ready to Wear Spring 2021 collection, designed by Jeremy Scott, c. 2020. Vogue Online.