IN A traditional salon furnished with white carpet, intricately-carved walls and lit bronze sconces, Jeremy Scott presented his SS21 runway collection for Moschino. Yet, this wasn’t just any Moschino catwalk. Everything – the clothes, models, guests, chairs, chandeliers – was miniature.
Live-streamed today as part of Milan Fashion Week, the Italian label, known for their uber-kitschy designs, enlisted the help of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop – the creators of The Muppets – to host a digital puppet-sized fashion show in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the teeniest of front rows populated by 30-inch marionette dolls, including familiar faces like Anna Wintour and British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, Henson’s little creations strolled the runway in an assortment of opulent evening gowns and barbie shoes.
Inspired by the Théâtre de la Mode, a touring set of fashion dolls crafted by the top Parisian designers to save their businesses from financial ruin after the Second World War, the tiny line-up – which will be available in human-sizes – celebrated the spirit of haute couture.
Beautifully-constructed A-line dresses, imagined in tulle, feather and brocade fabrics, were proposed with exterior corset boning and biker collars, while cocktail gowns, in rich hues of blue, pink, green and gold, gracefully swept the floor with oversized bow capes draped from the waist.
Comprising 40 looks, the collection was more than just an Instagram-friendly stand-in for a traditional runway. Rather, it was an applaudable display of Scott’s unbeatable creativity with craft and construction at its forefront. Even so, expect to see splashes of this miniature show across your feed for weeks to come.
by Joshua Hendren