You wouldn’t expect a bag designer to throw the most memorable, surprising runway show of London Fashion Week, but that’s what happened this morning at Anya Hindmarch, whose show was titled “Out of This World: A Fashion Odyssey.” Upon arrival, guests were treated to packets of “Out of This World” potato chips (indeed, they were tasty), plus invitations to visit WhatPlanetAreYouOn.com (plug in your birth date, and be showered with compliments on your ambition, creativity, and prowess in bed).
Expectations were high: Last season, Hindmarch invited press to watch 60,000 dominoes that toppled in perfect formation around her new collection. But this show went above and beyond, literally, when the lights dimmed and three huge planets lit up near the ceiling. Dozens of bags appeared, suspended on wires, while two models lifted off the runway and began to space-walk and fly through the air. There were literal gasps of delight from the audience; British actor Richard E. Grant tweeted that the spectacle was like “2001 Space Odyssey meets Cirque du Soleil.” Watch for yourself (but beware the creepy Nintendo-esque music).
