‘Quite extraordinary’: Anna Wintour launches immersive theatre fashion show
Fashion icon Anna Wintour has expressed that bringing famous runway shows back to life for a new immersive exhibition has stirred up feelings of nostalgia for her.
Wintour, appointed editor-in-chief of American Vogue in 1988, shared that the past 18 months spent creating Vogue: Inventing The Runway have been an intense experience, but she found it truly astonishing to watch everything come into place.
Hosted by actress Cate Blanchett, the program draws from Vogue's extensive collection, which dates back to its inception in 1892. It features prominent figures from the fashion world who discuss the evolution of runway fashion.
The exhibition at Lightroom in King’s Cross, London, presents firsthand accounts that illustrate how fashion shows have become a powerful expression of a designer's creativity. It features renowned luxury brands like Gucci, Chanel, Christian Dior, and Prada, alongside emerging talents like the cult British designer Martine Rose and the French designer known for his tiny bags and oversized hats, Simon Porte Jacquemus.
Mark Guiducci, the creative editorial director at Vogue, shared, “I’ve attended about twelve of the shows featured in this exhibition, but it’s been incredible collaborating with the team to study and recreate the shows I hadn’t experienced firsthand, and to envision what those events must have been like.”
The event will showcase designers who are stepping away from the limelight this year, including the 65-year-old Belgian fashion designer Dries van Noten. Earlier this year, he held a farewell show for his own label after leading it for over thirty years.
"And for me, it's clear that I've attended many more shows than Mark, so it brings back a lot of memories," Winrtour remarked.
She continued, "It fills me with pride to see the creativity in the fashion industry. I really hope viewers will appreciate the fashion show's history and how it showcases our culture and the world's transformations in such an amazing way."
"Since the 1950s to now, fashion shows have transformed into spectacular events. They have evolved from an exclusive, private affair where only a select few were invited to parties, to a more inclusive environment today. Now, everyone is welcome to attend and can even watch the shows live online."
The exhibition features a collection of segments that vividly portray different places and times. It immerses viewers in the fashion experience, with the runway display showcased on the venue's towering four-story walls.
"Fashion, whether showcased on the runway or seen in everyday life, consistently mirrors the events and trends occurring globally and within society," Guiducci remarked.
