6 Most Iconic Fashion Shows

April 22, 2023

The time has come! Our annual fashion show is this weekend, and we are so excited! So much hard work has been put into this show by the designers and everyone in UFG, and we cannot believe soon everyone will see this year’s collections. It takes a lot to put on a show and UFG is so grateful to everyone helping, but until showtime, here are 6 fashion shows you should watch because they are just too iconic.

Martin Margiela Spring-Summer 1990 show

Martin Margiela’s debut show was unconventional and revolutionary, which could be said for the rest of his career. Margiela released his show on October 19th of 1989 in Cafe De La Gare that was inconveniently located for press and fashion editors in the outskirts of Paris, far from where other fashion houses would commonly present. This show was able to cement Margiela’s identity and place within European fashion houses. Within his debut collection, he released the iconic and timeless Tabi boot and the signature white four stitches that can now make any Margiela piece recognizable. Margiela brought more focus to the art of his clothes by having the sounds of backstage preparing for the show play while the audience sat down until the models started to walk onto stage with their heads and faces veiled to emphasize the clothing they wore.

Versace Winter-Autumn 1991

Gianna Versace’s presentation for his Winter-Autumn 1991 collection revolutionized how fashion interacted with pop culture. Most brands at the time were struggling to deal with the ‘supermodel’ phenomenon as they felt models were receiving more recognition than the brands and clothes that they would model. Instead of working against this, Versace gave people what they wanted and used this new phenomenon to further the brand. He also knew of the impact that actors, musicians, and celebrities were beginning to have on the public and was the first designer to invite them as guest to fashion shows. The collection itself seemed to be a reprise of George Michael’s Freedom 90! Music video that featured some of the biggest supermodels at the time, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington. The same models opened the show with Freedom 90! Playing in the background. Today, it is common to see celebrities being heavily involved with brands and their fashion shows; many celebrities, like Julia Fox, Dua Lipa, and Zendaya, have even walked shows, but Versace was one of the first designers to use celebrities’ familiarity to connect with his consumers.

Alexander McQueen Spring-Summer 1999

Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 1999 was McQueen’s 13th collection, and while many are superstitious about the number 13, McQueen managed to make this one of his iconic show and was not afraid to simply call it Untitled No. 13. He presented a series of neutral looks with a variation of constructions such as leather and lace and extravagant and dark silhouettes. The show was opened by Aimee Mullins, Paralympic athlete, who had made headlines after being on the cover of Dazed a few days prior dressed by McQueen. The finale of Untitled No. 13 is perhaps one of the most iconic moments in fashion history. Famous supermodel, Shalom Harlow, walked out in a white voluminous dress and stood in a turning platform when two robots begin to spray black and yellow paint onto the dress. McQueen credits Rebbeca Horn’s 1991 installation High Moon in which two guns shot at each other with red paint. This moment became a memorable moment in both Harlow and McQueen’s career.

Versace Fall-Winter 1992

Versace’s Fall-Winter 1992 presentation was definitely one to remember. The looks featured in this runway show were bold and pushed the boundaries of luxury fashion. The display featured lots of black leather, gold embellishments, and of course, bondage (it even included the famous bondage dress that Donatella Versace wore to the Met Gala). Much like Versace’s FW 1991 collection, the show featured some of the most famous supermodels at the time, including Naomi Campbell, Karen Mulder, and Helena Christensen. Above all else, Versace wanted anyone who wore his clothes to feel sexy, confident, and empowered. Looking back at this runway show, it’s clear that he accomplished just that. What’s even more impressive is that many of the design elements seen in the clothes remain essential elements of the Versace brand today (gold chains, strappy dresses, etc). Personally, this happens to be one of my favorite runway shows of all time.

Mugler Spring-Summer 1995

Much like Gianni Versace, Mugler was another designer who knew how to take calculated risks with his work. His designs were both futuristic and theatrical, and they never failed to draw attention. Mugler’s Spring-Summer collection of 1995 is one of his most memorable collections to date. Between the famous “Birth of Venus” dress and the intricate detailing on the crystallized jumpsuit shown down below, this collection showcased Mugler’s true talent and artistic vision. This show solidified Mugler’s status as a fashion icon to be remembered.

Gucci Fall-Winter 1995

When most people think of fashion, one of the first brands to come to mind is Gucci. And they’re not wrong for thinking that. Under the creative direction of Tom Ford, Gucci was one of the most dominant fashion houses in the 90s. This particular collection, with its bold colors, vibrant fur details, and beautiful silk garments, demonstrates why Gucci was considered to be one of the top luxury brands throughout much of the 20th century. Ford’s designs are unique in that they are both elegant and striking at the same time. And of course, with models like Shalom Harlow and Kate Moss, there’s no question as to why this show made headlines.