See Just How Little Fashion Shows Have Changed Since The ’20s
With fashion, as most things, there are few, if any, new ideas.
1. Fashion shows still take place outside on the street.
Evening gowns at the Olympia Home Exhibition in New York, 1922.
2. And in homes.
Bridal gown show in a private home in England, 1923.
The post-apocalyptic living room set at Lorick’s Spring 2009 presentation.
3. Also, in beds.
A fashion show in a restaurant in Berlin, 1925.
The Y Project by Yohan Serfaty at Paris Men’s Fashion Week, Spring/Summer 2013.
4. And even on boats.
A fashion show on the ocean liner Franconia, docked in Liverpool, 1925.
5. Planes are also not ignored as fashion show sets.
Fashion show on a plane to Miami, 1930. (Not technically the 20s, but close enough.)
6. Hats are still ridiculous.
Sleepwear modeled in a private home, London, 1928.
Aurelio Costarella, Melbourne Fashion Week 2012
7. Models must act oblivious to their surroundings.
Evening dress at a showroom, 1926.
Lindsey Wixson falls at Versace’s spring 2012 show, in October of last year. Other model proceeds not to care.
8. Sometimes the runway is a beach.
Fashion show in Rye, New York, 1920.
9. Coveted front-row seats remain empty during showtime.
Swimwear modeled for business women as part of a “mannequin parade” in England, 1925.
10. You can fondle the clothes the models wear.
Clothes made from new synthetic silk on the catwalk in London, 1926. Legions of Forever 21 shoppers are forever grateful.
However, there are a few key differences between fashion shows of the ’20s and fashion shows today.
11. For instance, today’s male models are often expected to walk a runway, instead of stand around smoking.
Male models in the Nottingham Showroom wear raincoats and boots (or “Mackintoshes” and “waterproofs” as the Brits say) for a female audience, 1929.
A Magic Mike flavor at Emporio Armani, Spring/Summer 2011
12. With lingerie events, full-coverage slips have made way for Carnivale costumes and synchronized backup dancers.
An underwear show in a private home in Berlin, 1925.
13. Another important distinction: Runways tend not to climax with stairs.
Bridal gown modeled at the Messrs Lennards Showroom in London, 1925.
14. And child models today rarely double as the gardener.
A kiddie garden fashion show, 1921.
It’s unclear if he’s supposed to resemble a fabulous lumberjack or Peter Pan. Either way, stylin’. Fendi Kids, Summer 2011
15. Finally, in the ’20s, fashion was a wildly different business because: there was no Choupette.
Or appreciation for cat models, generally.
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