7 Notable Moments from S/S ‘22 Fashion Weeks
That’s a wrap on the fashion’s most prestigious fashion weeks: New York, London, Milan, and Paris. It’s been a long time coming to return to in-person events, extravagant, live runway shows, and star-studded front rows. The world embraced it with welcoming arms! Taking a look back on the foursome that make up the bulk of the fall fashion calendar, we’ve gathered our top seven note-worthy moments from the spring-summer 2022 fashion weeks.
1. Surprise! Fendi x Versace Come Together for a Co-Branded Collection
It was supposed to be kept under lock and key, but reports surfaced early at the start of Milan’s Fashion Week that Versace and Fendi would hold a dual fashion show to present their new co-branded collection: Fendace. Their show was divided into two parts: the “Fendi” portion, designed by Donatella Versace and the “Versace” portion, overseen by Kim Jones and Silvia Venturini-Fendi. The fun twist was that the fashion houses each interpreted the other house’s archives and signatures, which resulted in a cross-pollination of logos and prints. Their star-studded lineup of models included Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, and Kate Moss [1].
“A first in fashion history”, noted designer Donatella Versace, who emphasized that this collaboration was, at heart, a deep admiration for the codes and cultures of both brands, together with a mutual encouragement for the designers to be themselves [1]. This showcase of two heritage Italian brands was the perfect way to close off the Milan Fashion Week.
2. Prada Does Two Shows Simultaneously
In September, Prada showed its commitment to being a global brand – as well as recognizing how profitable the Chinese market is – by putting on two simultaneous shows: one in Milan and another in Shanghai for their respective and concurrent fashion weeks. Big screens were put up in both locations, so the audience could see how each outfit looked on the two different models [2].
This provided a unique way to launch the first SS22 collection designed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, live from both Milan and Shanghai [3].
3. Climate Change Activists Storm the Runway at Louis Vuitton’s Paris Show
Carrying a sign reading "overconsumption = extinction”, a protester made a somewhat lengthy trek down the runway at Louis Vuitton’s Paris Fashion Week show this past Tuesday. The banner condemning the impact of excessive consumption on the environment was held by a protester representing Amis de la Terre France, Youth for Climate and Extinction Rebellion. [4]
Though the protester was on the catwalk for nearly a full minute before being escorted off by security, the disruption hardly interrupted the flow of models (or the celeb-filled front row). [4] We all know fashion shows are no stranger to controversy, protests, and disruptions, so we’re certain these models came with a little training.
4. Lila Moss Wears Her Insulin Pump with Pride on the Paris Runway
The 19-year old model joined supermodel mom, Kate Moss, on the runway of the Fendace fashion show for Milan’s Fashion Week. As Page Six reports, “fans were quick to notice that the younger Moss, who has type 1 diabetes, proudly showed off the insulin pump on her thigh while modeling a baroque-printed swimsuit and cropped jacket.” [5]
Fans online are praising the model for shedding some light on the disease and embracing insulin pumps as nothing to hide, but something that is just a part of some people’s everyday lives. Many agree that it is encouraging to see high fashion brands start to embrace models that don’t necessarily fit the outdated mold of what was once the “high fashion model”.
5. The Simpsons Make Their Runway Debut for Balenciaga
While guests were sitting down, expecting Balenciaga’s Spring-Summer 2022 showcase, attendees at the Théâtre du Châtelet were treated to a 10-minute special episode of The Simpsons, in which the family travels to Paris to model a range of iconic Balenciaga looks. [6]
According to an article from CNN, The Simpsons viewing was just one part of the presentation, and the way the Spring-Summer collection was introduced by Gvasalia beforehand was another surprise. Guests entered via a red carpet, while those already inside watched a live stream of the entrances. As it turned out, they were actually watching the runway. Secretly mixing with the red-carpet arrivals were real Balenciaga models, including actors Elliot Page and Isabelle Huppert, dressed in the 64 new looks. [6]
6. A 24-Year-Old at the Helm of Fashion House Rochas
Paris Fashion Week hosted a significant debut from fashion house Rochas. After Alessandro Dell'Acqua oversaw the house for years, Charles de Valmorin, a recent graduate from École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, was hired to takeover the brand at just 24 years of age. Paris Fashion Week was his debut runway show and collection with the brand. [7]
In just 18 months at the helm of Rochas, he has become one of the rising stars of Paris fashion, with many comparing him to a young Yves Saint Laurent.
7. Diversity Continues to Merge into the Mainstream
It’s such a welcomed and positive change to see luxury fashion brands continue to embrace the call for diversity and inclusion. What was once an incredibly harsh industry, shared with only the chosen few, we are seeing fashion houses open the door to a better representation of the real world.
Whether it’s drag queens as supermodels (Drag Race UK alum Tayce and Bimini Bon Boulash walking in London Fashion Week) or brands like Christian Siriano continuously embracing body-positive models, it is encouraging to see more than just the Caucasian “twiggy” model we are used to seeing on the runway.
A stand-out moment from New York Fashion Week was at Jeremy Scott’s Moschino show when disabled transgender model Aaron Philip made her way down the runway, sporting a yellow two-piece set with matching jacket and handbag. [8] Runways have come a long way in the past decade, and we are excited to see this positive change evolve more as time goes on.
What were some of your favourite moments from the Spring-Summer 2022 shows? Share them below in the comments!
Sources:
- Sarah Karmali, “Versace and Fendi collaborate on world-first show and collection”, Harper’s Bazaar, September 27, 2021. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/shows-trends/a37749500/versace-fendi-fendace-show/
- Prudence Wade, “Dua Lipa, Kate Moss, and Noughties Trends: Everything You Missed from an Opulent Milan Fashion Week”, Independent, September 27, 2021. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/kate-moss-dua-lipa-versace-prada-italy-b1927569.html
- Trishna Rikhy, “Prada Launches SS22 Collection in a Dual Runway Show”, V Magazine, September 24, 2021. https://vmagazine.com/article/prada-launches-ss22-collection-in-a-dual-runway-show/
- “Climate change protester disrupts Louis Vuitton show in Paris”, Reuters, October 6, 2021. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/climate-change-protester-disrupts-louis-vuitton-show-paris-2021-10-05/
- Melissa Minton, “Lila Moss praised for wearing her insulin pump on the runway in Milan”, Page Six, September 30, 2021. https://pagesix.com/2021/09/30/lila-moss-praised-for-wearing-insulin-pump-on-the-runway/
- Megan C. Hills, “”The Simpsons” Make Their Runway Debut at Paris Fashion Week”, CNN, October 4, 2021. https://www.cnn.com/style/article/balenciaga-the-simpsons-paris-fashion-week/index.html
- Kristin Bateman, Leah Melby Clinton, Alison Cohn, et al. “The Best Looks Straight Off the Paris Runways”, Harper’s Bazaar, October 5, 2021. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-week/g37742626/paris-fashion-week-spring-2022/
- Gianluca Russo, “Gigi Hadid’s Giant Baby Bottle Stole the Show at Moschino — See Photos”, Teen Vogue, September 10, 2021. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/gigi-hadid-moschino-spring-2022-ready-to-wear
