Top 10 Fashion Runways Of All Time

With the 2022 New York Fashion Week in Manhattan seeing its completion last week and the ongoing London Fashion Week – February 2022, it’s time to take a trip down memory lane of our top 10 Fashion Runways of all time.

Designers have redefined fashion with each passing year. Fashionable gowns, elaborately decorated garments, studded handbags, groovy getups, and headpieces to look at each year! Fashion trends keep evolving, and we are here to keep you updated with the most iconic ramp walks that have taken place!

Versace, Spring/Summer 2018

For the Spring 2018 collection, Donatella Versace staged a tribute for her late brother – Fashion designer and founder of Versace, Gianni Versace. It was the 20th anniversary of his tragic passing. The Spring 2018 Ready-To-Wear fashion show was presented at the Palazzo Della Triennale Art and Design Museum in Milan, Italy. The collection was an ode to Gianni’s greatest creations, all reworked into new a fresh spin of his most iconic works. In a fitting homage, the catwalk was graced with the supermodels of that era – including British Supermodel Naomi Campbell, supermodel, actress and television personality Cindy Crawford, and actress, singer-songwriter, and fashion model Carla Bruni.

Founded in 1978 in Milan, Versace is one of the leading international fashion brands all over the globe. The Greeks mythological figure of ‘Medusa’ was selected as the logo of this brand because, as the myth goes – once gazed upon, it is not easy to look away from her.

Rick Owens, Spring/Summer 2014

Rick Owens presented his spring collection at the Paris fashion week by diverging from the usual fashion show. He showcased his collection with models of all body types and sizes. The models who climbed down a staircase to beats of rhythmic drumming music were step dancers. They performed detailed dance and stomping routines on the runway. Each descending group presented Owen’s works and also a strong dance performance. When the performers were in the spotlight, there were no smiles, just poker faces.

Rick Owens started his own label in 1994. His creations are known for their dark yet enchanting tone, his signature gothic-style leather jackets and attire. Along with his outfits and accessories, his brand also features a line of artistic furniture.

Burberry Ready-To-Wear, Fall/Winter 2018

The Spring/Summer 2001 show of Alexander McQueen, titled ‘Voss’, is widely considered as one of the most dramatic and celebrated shows of all time. The audience was greeted with a self-viewing mirrored box structure in the center of the room. The fashion show commenced with models wearing hair covering headpieces, party dresses, shoulder and neck designed extensions, and other creative arrangements. The show concluded with the box structure collapsing to reveal a nude model sporting a gas mask breathing clean air through a tube. Supermodel Kate Moss had opened the show, as done before with McQueen’s displays.

Burberry is a fashion house founded by Thomas Burberry in the 1800s, presently headquartered in London, England. It is well renowned for its designs and accessories including, leather goods, footwear, fashion accessories, fragrances, and cosmetics.

Alexander McQueen, Spring/Summer 2001: Voss

The Spring/Summer 2001 show titled ‘Voss’ is widely considered as one of the most dramatic and celebrated shows of all time. The audience was greeted with a self-viewing mirrored box structure in the center of the room. The fashion show commenced with models, wearing hair covering headpieces, party dresses, shoulder and neck designed extensions, feathers, flowers and other creative arrangements. It concluded with the box structure collapsing to reveal a nude model sporting a gas mask breathing clean air through a tube. Supermodel Kate Moss had opened the show as done before with McQueen’s displays.

Alexander McQueen is a British luxury fashion house founded by designer Alexander McQueen in 1992. Through his collections, over the years, he expresses different concerns of nature, history, sexuality, and eroticism.

Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton, Spring/Summer 2008

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American fashion designer Marc Jacobs is renowned for his sartorial interpretations of trends in pop culture. He is well known for his ‘grunge’ collection. Held at the Lexington Avenue Armory, Manhattan, New York, the show kicked off way behind schedule. At its beginning, a dozen models wore a stylish take on a nurse’s uniform over their garments. They also wore face masks and labeled headgear with letters spelling out the brand’s name. Marc Jacobs has since called back this lace face mask with respect to the pandemic in his Instagram. The rest of the parade saw outfits in bright colors, along with handbags, accessories and headgear. 

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Hussein Chalayan, Autumn/Winter 2000

At this masterclass of a fashion show, the stage was set up like a living room having regular household objects on display, including chairs, a coffee table, vases, etc. As the models came out to present their designer outfits, they would take a few of these objects away from or imbibe them onto their get-ups. This included a wearable gown made by the deconstruction of the chair’s covers. The finale saw the last model step inside the table and lift it to unveil a wearable skirt.

Hussein Chalayan is a British fashion designer known for his experimental and innovative designs.

Hood by Air Spring/Summer 2016: Galvanize 

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‘Galvanize’ by well-known designer Shayne Oliver begins with a model walking back down to the ramp with a ripped-out outfit, only to make a swift turn presenting her well-tailored attire. The entire show was a presentation of a ‘back to school’ scenario, deconstructing the concept of a ‘uniform’.

In an interview with Dazed and Confused publication, Shayne Oliver disclosed that he was inspired by his school days. He said, “It was all about my childhood in the Caribbean. We had such high education but we had nothing. Our uniforms were so formal in comparison to our lives. So we would tear it up and make them our own.”

Hood by Air draws its influence heavily from the 90’s era. It has earned recognition from many artists and musicians.

Jean-Paul Gaultier Ready-to-Wear, Spring/Summer 2020.

This collection marked fifty years of Jean-Paul Gaultier’s career in the fashion and design industry. It commenced with a mock funeral setup having druids open a casket to reveal an angelic being. The iconic designer called back and presented all his passions with jeans, corsets, sailor shirts, suits, tops, dresses and more at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

The Spring/Summer 2020 was announced as his last show though he would continue to design. In attendance, his last hurrah included models Karlie Kloss, Gigi Hadid, Karen Elson and performer Dita Von Teese.

Thierry Mugler – Haute Couture, Fall Winter 1995

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French designer Thierry Mugler was renowned for putting on ‘more than just a show’ at his events. His 20th anniversary in the industry was celebrated with his Fall 1995 Couture at Cirque d’Hiver in Paris. It had a large stage, male dancers, showgirls, models in robot costumes and glamour queens. The ramp walk displaying his many works concluded with a live performance of ‘Sex Machine’ by the late James Brown.

On the catwalk were models Jerry Hall, Nadja Auermann, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Eva Herzigova, Kate Moss along with actress Tippi Hedren and Julie Newmar.

The Blonds X Disney Villains, Spring/Summer 2019

Disney villains as children and their love for animation inspired The Blonds X Disney Villains, Spring/Summer 2019 at the New York Fashion Week. Paying homage to the inspiration, the ramp walk featured glammed-up renditions of iconic Disney characters like Cruella de Vil, Maleficent, Ursula and many others. There was an emphasis on their entrances as the models made their way down the ramp. This was to add depth to each character similar to their animated shows/movies. To begin the show, Designer Phillipe Blond walked down as the Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland) while Paris Hilton recreated the iconic villain Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians).

The Blonds have been active in the fashion industry for over two decades and have designed outfits for artists like Beyonce, Jenifer Lopez, Lady Gaga and the iconic Barbie Doll.

you may also read: Top Looks From The New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2022

Feature Image Via L’Officiel Singapore.