Fashion is Emotional: Runway Shows That Will Get You in Your Feels
Designed by Wendy Zhu
Fun clothing, iconic catwalks and drama are common experiences to behold at a fashion show, regardless of the location or designer. Unfortunately, the true message of most collections is often overlooked since our emotions can get the best of us. Fashion has been associated with shock, happiness and sadness, especially when the unexpected happens. Whether it be Naomi Campbell carrying a gun on the Versace S/S 1998 runway or Gigi Hadid escorting Marie S'Infitre off the Chanel Spring 2020 runway, emotions are always at the center of fashion. As a fashion fanatic who has reviewed a plethora of collections, I know that fashion is another avenue where people can express themselves without having to say a single word. Here are my top five collections that make my emotions feel like they are riding a roller coaster:
1. Christian Dior Spring 2002 Ready-to-Wear Collection
John Galliano, creative director of Dior from 1997 to 2011, took the French luxury fashion house through one of the most theatrical transformations the fashion industry has ever seen. For this show, Galliano created a collection that took the audience on a world tour, showcasing grungy sheer dresses, hip-hop-style ensembles and Mexican-sarape prints. The use of canvas straps, clashing prints and the iconic Dior Trotter monogram throughout this 57-look collection makes me wish I was sitting front-row in the early 2000s. The models strutted down the runway to songs such as “Bootylicious” by Destiny’s Child and “Dooms Night” by Azzido Da Bass. The clothes create a grungy character that excited me about who I could become by wearing them. Now, I can only scour Chicago consignment shops to see if I can get a piece of this delicious Dior collection.
2. Louis Vuitton’s Spring 2003 Ready-to-Wear Collection
Kawaii is the only word that perfectly describes former creative director Marc Jacobs’ iconic 2003 collection for Louis Vuitton. The French luxury house started producing ready-to-wear collections in the fall of 1998, thanks to Jacobs. The collections got grander by the season, and this show is no exception. The 62 runway looks had stunning polka-dots and monochromatic ensembles accompanied by fun pops of color on the brand’s iconic handbags. I, along with countless others, immediately became mesmerized, obsessed and, quite frankly, desperate to have one of these fun and fresh bags in my closets. For this collection, Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, in collaboration with Jacobs, created what we now know as the rainbow monogram and the cherry blossom monogram. We all say in grateful unison, “Thank you, Marc Jacobs, for creating countless iconic 2000s fashion moments.” This collection excited generations of fashion lovers and is now a reminder of simpler and happier times.
3. Gucci’s Fall/Winter 2021 Collection
Speaking of iconic moments, do you remember when Gucci had their F/W 2021 collection “hacked” by Balenciaga? Yeah, the pandemic was a rough time, but dream-duo Alessandro Michele, former creative director of Gucci, and Demna, creative director of Balenciaga, knew how to keep the fashion community well-fed through clothing. Models wore recreations of iconic Gucci looks and walked down a runway of flashing lights to Lil Pump’s “Gucci Gang” and Bhad Bhabie’s “Gucci Flip Flops.” The designers created one of the craziest experiences that I watched from the comfort of my couch. Michele knew how to put on a show to celebrate the Italian fashion house’s 100th anniversary, leaving viewers with the fear of missing out on modern fashion history.
4. Robert Wun Spring 2024 Couture Collection
Hong-Kong-born and London-based fashion designer Robert Wun celebrated the 10th anniversary of his eponymous fashion label during the Paris haute couture calendar. This small but mighty 25-look collection stuns and glimmers effortlessly with crystals resembling raindrops on dresses, trench coats and hats. The splatters of color, fine tailoring and exquisite fabric draping were mesmerizing. The stunning finale look featured a model in a red gown walking down the runway as a person (made from the gown) emerged from the back. The person reached over the model's shoulder and adjusted the dress, pulling a piece of thread from the dress' bust. The look is eerily chic and mysterious, which are things Wun has become a master at. Wun’s clothing is groundbreaking and always leaves me speechless.
5. Willy Chavarria’s Spring/Summer 2025 Ready-to-Wear Collection
Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarria broke multiple barriers in the fashion industry. Chavarria has dressed celebrities like Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish, collaborated with Don Julio and uplifted the Latino community by bringing them into these predominantly white spaces. Chavarria has worked to prove that underrepresented communities have a lot to bring to the table. The 69-look Chicano-inspired collection references clothing that defines the United States: well-structured suits, blue-collar job uniforms and relaxed outfits. The ultimate surprise came in the middle of the collection, where Chavarria unveiled his Adidas collaboration that combined Chavarria’s house staples with Adidas’s iconic three stripes. Chavarria makes me proud of where I come from and proves I have much to bring to the fashion industry.
Regardless of your taste, we can all agree that fashion is a creative outlet through which you can display your individuality without fear of critique. People will have opinions about everything, but that shouldn’t deter how you express yourself through fashion. There is something magical about these collections because they offer you a fantasy world with real clothes and styling inspiration for everyday life, which is the beauty of fashion.