There has been a lot of talk about aliens lately. Do they really exist? Where are they from? Can they communicate with us? Between traces of “non-human” aircraft and innovative tools for capturing extraterrestrial signals, the situation still seems to be not entirely clear. But in fashion, aliens are not fantastic creatures at all. In fact, over the years they have taken their place on the most popular catwalks in the world, as well as in the most avant-garde collections. For example, in one of their latest appearances, they posed for an ad campaign for Skims, a lingerie and shapewear brand run by Kim Kardashian. The choice of the American entrepreneur, made days after the alleged sighting of UFOs in the skies of America and Canada, has led many fans to believe that Kim Kardashian is actually in contact with aliens.
But the socialite isn’t the only one who’s turned aliens into fashion icons. In fact, many years ago, stylists André Courrège and Pierre Cardin were the first to venture into the cosmic look. Halfway between the astronaut look and the alien look in the 60s, fashion began to welcome a new style that completely changed the pop scene.
After fantasy iterations by Thierry Mugler (who named one of his most famous perfumes “Alien”) in 2010, it was Alexander McQueen’s turn. Plato’s acclaimed Atlantis collection staged a post-apocalyptic future in which models with extraterrestrial features, including elongated skulls, monstrous shoes, and “reptilian” motifs, rule the world.
Then move on to the chic aliens from Gucci’s Star Trek-inspired Fall/Winter 2017 campaign, and the subsequent Fall/Winter 2018 runway with models with three eyes and two heads.
Alessandro Michele has never made a secret of his love of science fiction, while Jeremy Scott of Moschino has us watching pop culture icons through an extraterrestrial lens. Among them is Jackie Kennedy, the main inspiration behind the fall-winter 2018 runway, who for Moschino became an alien with yellow, green and blue skin – but without separating from her fashionable pencil skirt.
Instead, the Manish Arora runway for the fall-winter 2019 season has aliens in bright clothes, but in the same season, it is Rick Owens who makes the most unsettling catwalk looks. Between sharp cheekbones, black contact lenses, very white skin and bulges at the temples, the Californian designer managed to create a terrifying and alien aura throughout the show.
Finally, the Burberry aliens for spring-summer 2022 are more docile, with large silicone ears, which Riccardo Tisci himself nicknamed “Bambi’s Ears” and which are reminiscent of the famous Disney deer, as well as Dobby’s house elf from the Harry Potter saga.
Photo credit: Instagram profile @skims
Tags: fashion, Gucci, Vogue, Burberry, Skims, aliens