London's Westminster Abbey, a place where monarchs were crowned, saw models walking in beautiful outfits. Photo: Gucci
Fashion shows are known for their extravagance. The setup of architecturally wondrous runway backdrops often work to wow and impress.
But why build something new when there are already magnificent structures found all around the world?
In the past, fashion houses have staged their shows at the most recognisable landmarks.
Way back in 1973, there was the Battle of Versailles Fashion Show. Yes, at the Palace Of Versailles in Paris.
This pitted five American fashion designers – Oscar De la Renta, Bill Blass, Anne Klein, Halston and Stephen Burrows – against five French designers: Yves Saint Laurent, Hubert De Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, Emanuel Ungaro and Marc Bohan of Christian Dior.
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It was for a good cause too. The aim was to raise money for the restoration of Palace Of Versailles, a former royal residence built by King Louis XIV of France.
In 2007, China’s Great Wall in Beijing got its first major fashion show. It was by Fendi.
A total of 88 models strut down a runway constructed on a restored part of the structure. It was seen as a major event.
“We’ve worked very hard for one year to prepare the collection,” designer Silvia Fendi told Reuters. “Where do we go after? Maybe the moon. Why not? I feel like we have succeeded in doing something that was really a dream.”
New York City's famous Central Park played host to Ralph Lauren's 50th anniversary show. Photo: Ralph Lauren
Talking about historic buildings, the late Alexander McQueen once even set up a fashion show in a former prison.
It was at the Conciergerie in Paris, where Marie Antoinette (the last queen of France before the revolution) was once held.
Gucci presented a collection at London’s Westminster Abbey in 2016.
It was an occasion filled with pomp and circumstance. After all, the building has been the location of the coronations of 40 English and British monarchs.
The label’s then creative director, Alessandro Michele, waxed lyrical about how he was inspired by it.
“What I love about the English aesthetic is the contrast, how the contemporary merges with the past. How you can be a punk, but with a cup of tea,” he was quoted by The Guardian as saying.
Over in New York, it is the Central Park that most tourists will remember. Guests of the of the Ralph Lauren 50th anniversary show in 2018 won’t forget it too.
A star-studded event took place at the Bethesda Terrace, a graceful arched circular promenade at the heart of the park.
The Eiffel Tower has long been a favourite location for fashion brands to unveil their collection. Photo: Christian Louboutin
Street trolleys with wooden slatted seats ferried everyone into the core of the park, where looming LED screens played a video loop of collections past, and waiters in custom-made Ralph Lauren looks served guests.
Last year, Saint Laurent brought glamour to the Eiffel Tower.
The open-air runway in Paris, which took place at foot of the glowing structure, showcased designer Anthony Vaccarello’s collection of sleek eveningwear.
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The Eiffel Tower is no stranger to fashion though. Numerous brands have used it to present their collections.
Christian Louboutin held his Spring/Summer 2023 collection presentation in the structure itself – more specifically, the Gustave Eiffel room located 57 metres above the ground.
Not forgetting of course, this year’s Dior runway presentation at Mexico City’s Antiguo Colegio De San Ildefonso. The old building was once artist Frida Kahlo’s school.
You could say architecture and fashion go hand in hand. After all, both disciplines favour aesthetics and the beauty of construction – whether by fabric and cloth, or brick and mortar.
