Film References and the Fantastic Featured at Gucci
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I didn't think it was possible for Alessandro Michele to push more boundaries within the realm of fashion, satire and fantasy, but then he went ahead and used prosthetic creatures, severed heads and oddly placed eyeballs as accessories in his latest Fall RTW collection.
As creepy and ridiculous as it sounds, these finishing touches worked very well within the broader scope of the world Michele has crafted for Gucci. Third eyes, the odd lizard here and there, and horns that sprouted from the heads of models emerged seamlessly alongside the frilly frocks, oversize coats, platform boots and patterned pantsuits we have come to associate with the brand.
While they may seem out of place in a fashion show, these special effects actually play quite well into Gucci's reference book of imagery and inspiration. From the life-like recreation of Gucci motifs like the red, black and white striped Kingsnake or the "Ace eye," to the inclusion of severed heads that embody (no pun intended) Michele's obsession with the supernatural and themes of dualism, the use of these eccentric props further sharpened the aesthetic scope of the Gucci universe.
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Perhaps Gucci's unprecedented appeal across all manners of fashion lovers and consumers–from the casual Vogue reader, to the street style fanatic, and the high fashion magazine editor–is the brand's incredible adeptness at not taking itself too seriously. Apart from Michele's boundless imagination, Gucci has greatly benefitted from its ability to inject irony and tongue-in-cheek humor into the realm of runway fashion and haute couture, making the fashion world more accessible to all in the process.
