Twilight soaked houses were littered with the silhouettes of trees eerily cast against them by the last remaining light the day had to offer. A fragile veil of mist lingered, only visible under the eerie glow of the dimly lit street lamps. A handful of windows, sheer curtains diluting the glare, promised the street wasn’t completely lifeless.

Suddenly, a piercing scream cut through the street’s thick silence. From the front door of the only lit porch on the street, a young girl darted out. Her ice-blonde bob which jaggedly framed her panic-stricken face flew wildly around her head as she dashed down the stairs of the porch, and ripped through the neatly trimmed hedge as she sprinted to the next house. The girl’s body pressed up against the door as her tightly clenched fist violently pummelled the hard, white wood.

No answer.

The girl bolted to the next house, arms flailing, her legs almost moving too fast for her. She slaps her palm maniacally against the door.

Again, no answer.

Hysterically screaming, she turns away from the door and looks out into the dark street in desperation for someone, anyone, before spotting a side gate and flying towards it. The two rows of people neatly sat back to back through the centre of the street sat in a stunned silence and craned their necks as they watched the fate of the girl unfold.

Not the thrilling ending you were anticipating? Apologies for the disappointment, but we have good reason. The reason being that the girl (who goes by the name of Suki Waterhouse) was in-fact in no grave danger; this was not the opening scene of a horror movie. This was the dramatic opening of Moschino’s resort 2020 catwalk.

An unusual theme for the catwalk of a luxury fashion brand. Granted, the ‘trick or treat’ themed catwalk makes complete sense after seeing the collection itself which pays tribute to old Hollywood horror movies.

Now, let’s take a little trip back in time to ‘little’ you, skipping down your cul-de-sac, all sellotaped up in a big black bin bag with a piece of cardboard strapped to your face. High on the sugar from the contents of the now empty basket you were clutching. However nostalgic they may be, if you have memories similar to this, it probably cements the fact that ‘Trick or treating’ is, by nature one of the least glamorous, never mind ‘haute couture’- related activities. An unusual theme for the catwalk of a luxury fashion brand. Granted, the ‘trick or treat’ themed catwalk makes complete sense after seeing the collection itself which pays tribute to old Hollywood horror movies. Not that we ever had any doubts, for in Jeremy Scott we trust. Yet again, Moschino managed to pull off another one of his crazy, creative visions.

As Miss Waterhouse made her swift exit through the big white side gate, models began emerging from the driveways of the houses either side of the audience on the set at universal studios. In a previous life, this set had been the idyllic suburban street that was home to the Desperate Housewives, known as Wisteria Lane.

One singular spotlight right at the furthest corner of the set was the only real source of light for the show, creating distorted shadows of the models. Frankenstein’s fashion re-birth; a bright green boxy-style belted leather jacket with matching skirt stretched the word ‘chic’ to its limits, as big black Frankenstein-esque scars were strategically and not so subtly dispersed over the sophisticated silhouette.

Moschino’s take on Red Riding Hood was a standout look for us. A couture mash-up of the wolf; a blue cartoon mask and the grandma; a powder pink silky night gown with matching chiffon cape hemmed with ostrich feathers.

When someone wrapped up in what is essentially rolls of toilet paper can be made to look at home on a high fashion catwalk, it says a lot. On this note, we present to you, Moschino’s take on the seasoned Halloween outfit; the mummy. Only the eyes of the model were visible under the lengths of thin white chiffon that covered the model from head to the fishtail hem of the gown. The mess of delicate chiffon which contrasted with the heavy gold chains draped round the model’s neck and hips was cleverly drawn in at the waist with a chunky black and gold ‘Moschino’ belt, and matching biker jacket.

Moschino’s take on Red Riding Hood was a standout look for us. A couture mash-up of the wolf; a blue cartoon mask and the grandma; a powder pink silky night gown with matching chiffon cape hemmed with ostrich feathers. The legs emerging from the bottom of the nighty covered in white opaque tights were slipped into pink platform pumps. Tying the whole look together with a jarring yet pleasing clash was the fiery orange-red hair that cascaded down the model’s chest- a nod to Red-Riding Hood, the woman herself!

Behind this theatrical presentation and equally theatrical looks, Moschino is still the luxury fashion house we know and love.

These looks began weaving down the blue-black tarmac catwalk, in and out of a bespoke corpse-bride, designer Dracula, a couture Prom Queen – you get the point, you name it, it’s been given a Moschino makeover.

The intricate details of the styling, from the accessories to the hair and make-up all individual to each look, were reminders that although Moschino clearly has a sense of humour, it’s not all joking around. Behind this theatrical presentation and equally theatrical looks, Moschino is still the luxury fashion house we know and love.

We have to hand it to them, in an industry that occasionally has the tendency to take itself a little too seriously, Moschino has managed to inject a bit of life and sense of humour into yet another of their collections, and long may they continue to do so! Happy Halloween!

Words by Ella Winfield

Graphics by Fiona Campbell

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The post The Tricks and Treats of Moschino’s Costume Couture appeared first on Voir Fashion.

The thirst for horror is nothing new, we have experienced it for decades through cinema and literature with movies like The Omen, The Shining and more recently Zombieland. Jordan Peele’s latest film ‘Us’ has reportedly left viewers ‘seeing demons’ such is its graphic content.Fashion has now taken up the mantle with Moschino’s SS2020 Halloween collection and the statement bullet wounds on some Mowalola Ogunlesi’s new garments. There is a peculiar intention behind the rise of horror in popular culture; and that is to depict the world as it is.

Most recently, designer Mowalola Ogunlesi crafted her clothes to reflect a dark reality of America with her latest SS20 Menswear collection ‘Coming For Blood’. Naomi Campbell took the internet by fire during London Fashion Week when she was spotted wearing one of the pieces—a long white dress with a striking bullet wound right in the middle. A risky move which, in light of the 22 school shootings that occurred in America this year, sparked negative comments accusing the model of glorifying gun crime. The controversial outfit was defended by the designer who explained that the bullet hole is a symbol of “her lived experience as a black person”.

When correctly contextualised with the rest of Ogunlesi’s collection ‘Coming For Blood’ the dress makes sense. Playing with bloody and ghostly colours, the Nigerian designer portrays the “horrific feeling of falling in love”. From bloodied hands to red contacts and gothic make-up, the male models sport bleak but stylish outfits; aptly embodying the intertwining feelings of joy and fear that come with loving someone. With this concept, Campbell’s dress then has a dual meaning. It signifies two types of dangers felt by the designer: trusting another person with your heart, and also living in a racist system as a black individual. Literally, the bullet injury reflects police brutality towards African Americans, and therefore the real horror that this subjects the black community to. Figuratively, the wound design signifies the pain of love.

Fashion Designer Jeremy Scott displayed a ‘horror collection’ of his own earlier this year, however with a rather different intent and tone than Ogunlesi. With Dracula tops, Scream-inspired outfits and even a dress mirroring a scene from King Kong, the Moschino SS20 collection is full of cinematic references; rendering the work modern and reflective of today’s pop culture. With the growing political statements being made through fashion, Scott appears keen to spread much-needed humour and positivity amid all the horror.

Undoubtedly, Scott’s choice to take inspiration from horror films for his collection stems from the undeniable fact that cinema was the first field to explore the genre, and exploit it to tell fictional stories most commonly based on real events.

After the Oscar-winning director of ‘Get Out’, Jordan Peele, surprised us all once again with ‘Us’; a thrilling story symbolising the consequences of systemic racism. Based on the idea of doppelgängers, the film follows an American family getting attacked by their doubles—known as the ‘Tethered.’ In their angry and frustrated nature, the Tethered embody the trauma of African Americans upon enduring discrimination and violence for so long. They come from an ‘underground’ version of the world—a dark and sinister environment which represents the strong oppression that the black community is subjected to in America. What is unexpected is the way in which Peele confuses us not only through an ambiguous ending, but also by merging pure horror and comedy throughout the entire film. This creates numerous layers of meaning; a literal one where a family tries to survive a nightmarish night, and several figurative interpretations regarding the horror of America which fans continue to try and dissect—and this is a clear example of Peele’s genius.

Slowly but surely, horror is also making its way into music as well. Just like in cinema, musical artists are often using their platform to draw their audience’s attention towards specific social or political issues, and that is exactly what pop musician Grimes is planning for her forthcoming project. Reportedly interested in the horrors of climate change, the singer is going to personify global warming as an evil villain in the album. This take on climate change is unique and perfectly symbolises how dangerous and threatening the situation only grows to be. Grimes’ music is known for incorporating different genres; pop, r&b, electronic and hip hop, and touching on multiple subjects such as love, feminism and now global warming. In line with the originality and bold variety of her craft, her new album will undoubtedly also be filled with upbeat melodies, or colourful music videos and lyrics to contrast the dark aspect of the villain.

Horror is present in the arts because, more frighteningly so, it is all around us. It is on the streets, in the governments and in the ocean. Individuals like Ogunlesi, Peele and Grimes imitate life in their art, conveying powerful messages about the gravity of the respective subjects that they present. And they do so by evoking horror in unique and distinguishable ways which aptly reveal the talent behind their artistry.

Words by Carla Pelosoff

Graphics by Fiona Campbell

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The post Horror Movie: Cinematic Darkness Spreads To Fashion appeared first on Voir Fashion.