Looking at it from a more positive perspective, although the epidemic has disrupted many original plans in the fashion industry, forcing them to be postponed or changed, it has also brought about more innovative fashion collection release modes, once again verifying the diversity of possibilities in the fashion world and the endless creativity of designers, opening up new horizons for fashion enthusiasts. The most eye-catching of these is undoubtedly Gucci’s “Epilogue” staged at the finale of Milan Fashion Week online.
Why all the attention? Because this season’s collection is Alessandro Michele’s first seasonless collection after deciding to bid farewell to the “four seasons” fashion cycle; because “Epilogue” is the final part of the “fashion fairy tale trilogy” following the February “An Unrepeatable Ritual” 2020 Fall/Winter show and “The Ritual” 2020 Fall/Winter ad campaign; because Michele had already announced that this collection release would be live for a whopping 12 hours, leaving people curious about what surprises are in store. This half-day fashion show has already concluded, so let’s now take a look back at all the details.
The invitation alone is filled with Michele’s quirky style, neither a traditional paper invitation nor a voice invitation like last season, but actually locally grown fruits and vegetables! Why choose fruits and vegetables as an “invitation”? Look at the release mode of “Epilogue,” and you will find the answer. The 12-hour “marathon live broadcast” from behind-the-scenes preparation, shooting at Palazzo Sacchetti in Rome, to unveiling the new collection in the form of an online lookbook, Michele, like last season’s show, brings behind-the-scenes footage to the forefront of the screen, its authenticity and originality like pure, unadulterated fruits and vegetables.
“Epilogue” Another breakthrough is that all the models interpreting the clothing are actually from Gucci’s creative team! Although the designers are not professional models, they may appear a bit stiff in front of the camera, but by personally interpreting 76 looks, they have actually shed the idealized beauty often seen in models, appearing more approachable and closer to everyday life, making people pay more attention to the clothing itself.
Presented in a “window-style,” the 76 total looks fully embody Michele’s retro whimsical aesthetics, taking everyone into a fantastical and bizarre world. The abundance of colors, prints, motifs, and geometric patterns creates a rich visual effect, with these vibrant floral patterns, tile motifs, rainbow stripes, etc., actually originating from the hand of American artist Ken Scott. He cleverly uses color and line combinations to present a sense of joy, allowing us to appreciate these works during the pandemic and feel a bit of happiness amidst the crisis. In terms of design, there is not much difference from the previous season, with vintage shirt dresses, 70s retro suits, layered dresses, ugly sweaters, etc., which will definitely catch the eye of vintage enthusiasts.
Arriving at the most anticipated handbags for ladies, the Jackie Bag, which was reintroduced last season, has undergone more changes this season. With variations in size, the addition of monograms, and designs in different materials, it meets various needs. It’s not an exaggeration to say that it’s a pre-ordered It Bag of the future. Additionally, the most eye-catching thing is the appearance of Donald Duck and Doraemon patterns on the tote bag, full of childlike fun that makes people smile. Finally, Gucci has also brought new shoulder bags, one made of patchwork soft leather in colorful hues, and the other resembling an “envelope” in shape, which may also become a popular choice for an It Bag.
Although this series is the “final chapter,” as Michele said, “this is an ending, but also a new beginning,” hoping that he will continue to lead Gucci to create more possibilities.
圖片來源： Gucci , @gucci , @voguejapan
