The Melancholic Theatre of Thom Browne Haute Couture
July 3, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Julian Everett
Thom Browne Haute Couture's latest show was an orchestration of sounds, styles, and stories. The setting was both intriguing and melancholic, featuring a giant metallic dome that chimed at intervals throughout the show, an abandoned pile of luggage, and a somber musical narrative that ranged from choral arrangements to electronic sounds and cinematic audio effects.
The models, moving slow and deliberate, seemed to bring an old-world train station square to life on the runway. Their appearances suggested that some event had transpired - askew wigs on bandaged heads, pristine mittens resembling bandages, eyebrows off-center, and clothing that turned out to be deceiving (note the painted-on ties), and distressed coats.
The overall atmosphere was more theatrical than a traditional fashion show, lending credence to the presence of director Baz Luhrmann seated in the front row, alongside Anna Wintour. Thom Browne once again demonstrated his capacity to blur the lines between fashion and art, leaving the audience with an experience that was more than just a fashion show.
