Alexander McQueen’s 2001 spring show VOSS is undoubtedly a work of art. It is a staple in the fashion industry that people are still talking about 20 years later, but what about this show makes it worthy of this type of recognition?
The show opens with a dark and empty padded box. One way mirrors line the interior of the walls so we the audience can view in. A shadowy Kate Moss struts down stage right as the lights turn on and the show begins. She's dressed in an avant garde neutral toned dress paired with flower accents on the shoulder that carry down throughout the garment. This is all completed with a pair of clog like heels and a bald cap hiding all Moss’ hair. At first one might this this an odd choice, but when paired with the whole “asylum” theme of the venue it works.
After that more and more models start coming out in their designs. Dressed with everything from exaggerated dressed made out of clam shells to a simple top with trousers, the VOSS collection featured a wide range of items from wearable casual to eccentric works of art.
In addition to the clothes another another thing to note was the models themselves. Mostly all covered up in nude bald caps and minimal makeup, the models then started strutting around the enclosed room in bizarre and unusual ways. At times they would even start flailing their arms around in the air and grasping at the walls as they pass by. There even comes a point when some of the models start tearing apart their own garments. Torn accents and detailing getting tossed to the side.
And just as you though the show couldn’t get strange enough, a giant glass box in the centre of the room shatters revealing what one can only assume is McQueens rendition of a mother nature type character. The women at topic is laying nude upon a post-apocalyptic lounge chair attached to a breathing tube with hundreds of little butterflies surrounding her. Along with this the women also has the head of an alien, because if our going to go big you’d mine as well go all the way.
Simply to sum up, McQueens 2001 spring show is both disturbing and amazing. Creating both stunning fashions and a memorable performance, this is why people in 2018 are still talking about VOSS.
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