In the 2009 animated sci-fi film "Monsters Vs Aliens" a group of monsters, among them a giant woman dubbed Ginormica, are recruited by the US government to combat an alien invasion led by an overlord named Gallaxhar.
In Monse's A/W 24 collection there aren't any monsters, but are were prints of a gigantic woman, of alien flowers and alien landings created with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
After taking a break from the runways, Monse's Laura Kim and Fernando García returned to New York Fashion Week, showcasing their latest collection, a combination of sartorial innovation and sci-fi inspirations, at the International Building at Rockefeller Center.
The runway opened and closed with tailored ensembles, each boasting a unique construction, like a floor-length "double coat" (a clever investment piece) that stole the spotlight as it was designed to deceive the eye into believing it comprised two distinct garments.
Jackets and trench coats featured criss-crossing lapels that wrapped the models in an embrace and dresses featured jacket lapels fashioned into halter neck motifs, blurring the boundaries between masculinity and femininity with precision, and reimagining the familiar structure of a jacket.
Besides, a 100% cotton indigo denim mini-dress (View this photo), a collaboration with the nonprofit organization Around the World in 80 Fabrics, was a nod to sustainability.
An alien inspiration manifested itself in the form of a fictitious '50s film poster (both designers love films) or pulp novel cover that represented a nostalgic homage to Nathan H. Juran's timeless classic "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman" (1958).
The image was printed on a sleek jersey dress, a shirt and a gray twinset, adorned with the same bold print on both the sweater and the accompanying cardigan, for a touch of vintage sci-fi chic.
The spirit of extraterrestrial allure was encapsulated in AI-generated prints featuring a Triffid-like floral motif with an eye and adorning satin shirts, turtlenecks, and sheer dresses.
The collection reached its extraterrestrial climax with the ingenious incorporation of further alien-inspired motifs, at times printed, but mainly cleverly recreated as traditional jacquard tapestries - reminiscent of the late Gothic tapestries of the "The Hunt of the Unicorn" series. From afar, the designs appeared to depict idyllic scenes reminiscent of classic artworks, yet upon closer inspection, they revealed imagery of unidentified flying objects.
The surreal aesthetic continued with zip-up bomber jackets paired with matching miniskirts, trousers, and Vivienne Westwood-evoking bustiers adorned with leather straps, creating a juxtaposition between modern imagery and traditional craftsmanship and an anachronism between the unidentified flying objects and the bucolic setting.
While the evening pieces dazzled with layered chain shirts and Swarovski-crystalized leather tops, as a whole the collection was wearable despite its otherworldly prints and motifs, as if the designers were reminding us that we can remain grounded in the present while our imaginations soar to the furthest reaches of the cosmos.
The collection also showed that Artificial Intelligence can be used as a catalyst for creative and artistic exploration, but designers still need human skills and techniques to create more unique designs (see the tapestry pieces), that said, a harmonious synergy between technology and craftsmanship is definitely possible.
Last but not least, amidst the looming threat of an impending alien invasion, the collection whimsically suggests that should extraterrestrial entities reach our world, our commitment to style should never waver. After all, what better way to face the unknown than with a dash of panache?
Comments