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| Anne Sofie Madsen |
Anne Sofie Madsen gave a whole new twist to the idea of ready to wear during Paris Fashion Week: just grab whatever is at hand, be creative, and throw it on.
For her Elvis-Presley inspired collection, the Danish
designer combined all sorts of textures and materials - be it leather, fur,
feathers or, in one case, a sleeping bag.
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| Madsen's artful combinations |
Madsen said that her show was inspired by the fact that
“Elvis Presley was a twin-twin and that his great-great-great-grandmother was
Native American”. The singer’s lifelong eccentricity was apparently supposed to
come across in the designer’s Fall/Winter 2016 collection, which was titled “Heaven
or Las Vegas”.
“I like to challenge and push the boundaries for everyday
wear and at the same time it is really important to me that the garments are in
their own way functional and wearable,” Madsen has said. “It’s not about
garments for princesses in a fantasy world, but I do wish to bring magic into
reality and preciousness into fashion”.
Viewers could choose where they thought they were, as the
setting of the show – the underground parking lot of fashion school Istituto
Marangoni – gave plenty of scope for wild imaginings.
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| Madsen's use of fur and netting |
The muted browns, greys, and mustards let the real focus of
the collection shine through: the textures. Every ensemble combined “spurious
and glamorous, working class hero and tragic glam-clown”.
The brightest colour came from a red sleeping bag, wrapped
artfully to form a sort of poncho or winter coat. The challenge
was: could you do that with your own blanket at home? It was beyond cool. Or rather, it looked really warm.
The models sported short haircuts with natural makeup, in
contrast to the offbeat designs. One model was completely bald, making viewers
think that she was a survivor of some kind, and giving them an instant desire
to know more about her story.
As discordant electronic music pounded, the models strutted
down the concrete ramp, disappearing round the bends of the parking lot. Then
they swaggered back into view, with their dangling belts, flowing sleeves, and
wide-legged pants.
Some wore brown leather loafers, reminiscent of the Nineties,
while a few strode insouciantly in cowboy boots.
At the end, several viewers seemed not to know whether to clap, chuckle or just shake their heads.
The overall effect of Madsen's collection was one of confusion, awe, and yes, a certain admiration for this kind of audaciousness. - J.M. De Clercq / Tasshon
The overall effect of Madsen's collection was one of confusion, awe, and yes, a certain admiration for this kind of audaciousness. - J.M. De Clercq / Tasshon
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| Madsen's ode to Elvis Presley? |
