September 24, 2018 |
Virgil Abloh doesn’t so much put on fashion shows as stage multi-dimensional happenings. What goes on the runway is only one part of the Off White experience. This label has life beyond the high fashion bubble. The street around the show was closed to traffic in anticipation of crowds – and they came. The place thronged with kids, all dressed up with nowhere to go. They knew they couldn’t get into the show and didn’t even try. Just being there on that day, at that time, posing for pictures and creating their own theatre was enough. That’s the power of Virgil. People want to be a part of his world.
Those that did get into the venue found a running track built around a grassy knoll. Sport was the theme (and a much talked about Nike collab). Ball skirts were paired with the kind of tight, technical tops that sprinters wear – as if Cinderella had forgone her coach and horses and run to the palace instead.
There were denim cycling shorts and running tights teamed with tailored blazers. Neon snake print party dresses were worn with trainers and jogging shorts peeked through sheer lace dresses. It was a high fashion version of the way way modern women mix up their gym wear with smarter pieces. For a long time after the show ended, the street remained thronged with kids. Abloh inspires extreme devotion. The future belongs to him.
Photographs by Jason Lloyd-Evans.
