Watch & Listen: Runway Shows That Explored Fashion And Technology

By Dan Ahwa
Viva
Alexander McQueen Spring 1999 / Supplied.

This year's Met Gala theme Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology explores the complex but inspiring dichotomy between handmade haute couture and machine-made fashion. We take a look at the most memorable runway shows and collections that explored these ideas.

Holograms: Alexander McQueen Fall 2006Who can forget the mesmerising hologram of Kate Moss billowing in swathes of silk for the finale of this show, created using the Victorian parlour trick Peppers Ghost – a theatrical illusion technique.

Metamorphosis: Hussein Chalayan Spring 2007The collection that gave us the infamous bubble dress was an early pre-cursor to present day conversations around fast fashion and modern technology. Garments transformed, peeled away and disappeared without the models having to lift a finger.

All access drones: Fendi Fall 2014Perhaps annoying for actual showgoers, drones circled above the heads of models on the runway and guests, live streaming content to viewers at home.

Google alert: Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2013Models wearing glasses made in collaboration with Google captured the scene around them for a video post show.

Water works: Polo Ralph Lauren Spring 2015A development from McQueen’s Fall 2006 show, this was described by Ralph Lauren as a 4D holographic water projection. Models were projected against a 20 metre high fountain in Manhattan's Central Park.

The robots: Alexander McQueen Spring 1999The breath taking famous finale saw supermodel Shalom Harlow stand on a rotating turntable while being spray-painted by two industrial robots. The collection was inspired by the artist Rebecca Horn's installation piece of two machine guns firing paint at each other.

Iridescent Light: Balenciaga Spring 2009Opening with Bjork's eerie track Hunter, this show highlighted then creative director Nicolas Ghesquiere's love of sci-fi references and retro futurism. The collection changed colour as models walked down the runway, adapting to the changing light and colour projected from the venue's lighting.

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