On Sunday during Milan Fashion Week, Gucci debuted their Spring Summer 2020 collection.
When the guests entered the venue, there were two isles of conveyor belts for the catwalk. The show started with colourless outfits, like blank canvases creating a uniformity look. A particular item, the straitjacket had some controversy around it when model Ayesha Tan Jones held a silent protest by holding her hands up, which had “mental health is not fashion” written on them.
While this is debated upon Alessandro Michele’s inspiration was a memo that explains that fashion must remain a vector of free expression in this standardised world. He defends the use of the straitjacket in his collection. He says that he had been thinking “about humanity and uniforms. A uniform is something that blocks and constrains you – that makes you anonymous. That makes you follow the direction of travel.” The straitjacket, he said, was “the highest type of uniform”. A spokesperson for Gucci has said that this would not be sold on the market.
After these outfits, the lights went off and on, out came the models with vibrant coloured outfits and walked the catwalk showing the freedom of movement and outfits — a mixture of contemporary styles with combinations of fabrications. There was a lot of fun and playful outfits and accessories. A show to remember.
