A Look at the 10 Iconic Fashion Shows That Altered Style History

Oh you want to talk about impact? Alexander McQueen’s SS99 show had impact. The British designers thirteenth show, the SS99 presentation is famously known No 13., and featured some of the best in the fashion industry. Victoria Beckham was declined a request to attend the event, with the concern being that she would draw too much attention, and the front row was full of elite members of the media along with potential buyers. No. 13 itself was art paying tribute to art that combined beauty with a little bit of scrappiness as McQueen was still considered a young independent designer at that point.

Opening up the show with Aimee Mullins, an amputee, walking on wooden prosthetics, the McQueen’s SS99 was a regal exhibit combined with a hint of darkness that really catapulted the designer to the next level.

Dior’s SS98 presentation was a thrilling one that showcased some of John Galliano’s finest work. Eye-catching sleek silhouettes and vintage English vibes (think 18th and 19th century) were among some of the standouts associated with this show, along with loads of glitter and satin. The couture was exquisite, and the various classic English looks along with the modern and slightly Spice Girls-esque hairstyle and make up looks make this among Dior’s best in their catalog of legendary fashion shows.

A game changer, Martin Margiela’s SS89 show was deemed as a “public spectacle” (a good public spectacle of course). From the shirtless model that opened the show (which was still considered slightly risque back then), to the follow-up garments that were presented in unique, innovative, and daring ways, Margiela’s SS89 show was all about the willingness to be bold and separate yourself from the pack, right down to the uneven catwalk that literally had models struggling to maintain their balance.

To top it all off, there was a young designer by the name of Raf Simons that was also in the audience that night, and dare we say he might have been inspired when it came to the approach he would later take with his own shows. Margiela’s SS89 was one for the ages.

Chanel’s SS12 fashion show was fun, flirty, and sexy with an abundance of mini-dresses, shorts, and cut out pieces. The Grand Palais was transformed into an all-white water odyssey, with Charlotte Casiraghi, muse to the late great Karl Lagerfield, opening the presentation on a horseback. The visually stunning masterpiece was quite possibly Lagerfield at his peak (though there’s plenty of other Lagerfield presentations that are of note as well), and holds the honor of being one of the first fashion shows to make social media go crazy.

That same fall, Christian Dior would also present their SS12 RTW collection, which was helmed by creative director John Galliano. An extravagant showing, luxury and opulence delivered in simplicity were the key themes to describe the presentation, which featured models at their simplest with sleek buns, minimal makeup, and minimalistic pieces. At the time of the show, Galliano received mixed reviews from critics who felt there were elements of the presentation that didn’t meet their expectations, but now with m

With most of the world panicking at the thought of the world ending upon the clock striking midnight on January 1st, 2000, Hussein Chalayan brought forth a much needed distraction with their Fall/Winter 2000 showcase. One of the best fashion shows in recent memory, the presentation was an unlikely blend of fashion and furniture as Chalayan took a piece of wooden furniture and turned it into a wooden skirt.

All-in-all, the designer transformed four chair covers and a coffee table into four dresses to go along with that wooden skirt leaving the London Fashion Week attendees speechless. The show was a big risk for Chalayan, but one that paid off.

Jeremy Scott got the conversation going with Moschino’s SS19 show, which was all about the vibrant colors and interesting markings. The pieces presented looked like marker scribbles on clothes (albeit much more refined), with some paying homage to the elaborate style of the 1950s and 60s with the large brim hats, and fitted blazers, sharp pencil skirts that were still slightly hip-hugging, and classic jewelry as an accompaniment. The show’s models included Bella and Gigi Hadid, and Kaia Gerber.

We’ve got another Alexander McQueen entry on this list because no iconic fashion show roundup is complete without it. Paying tribute to the 1969 movie They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? by Sydney Pollack, McQueen’s SS04 showing was centered around The Depression era, with hired dancers dancing themselves to death as a way to signal a growing burnout amongst those in the fashion industry. A very sad fashion show for sure, but that’s also a part of showcasing art. Art isn’t always happy, pretty, or reminiscent of things that we want to hear. Sometimes art is gritty, painfully honest, and full of necessary reminders.

We also have to give a major shoutout to Rick Owens for bringing forth the beauty of HBCU culture in his SS14 show. We’re finally starting to see HBCUs getting the recognition they deserve from a mainstream media standpoint, but in 2013, this was an almost unheard of concept as Owen hired a drill team and HBCU cheerleaders to be a part of the show. Owens’ SS14 presentation was ethnic, cultural, and one that challenged the norms making it one of our all time favorites.

One of the greatest fashion shows ever, Thierry Mugler’s FW95 was full of surprises. From James Brown surprising the crowd with a super funky rendition of his greatest hits, to the gloriously over the top pieces that were reminiscent of mid-1990s entertainment, everybody important was a part of this show including Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Carmen Dell’Orefice, Jerry Hall, Eva Herzigova, and more. In the decades since, Mugler has loaned his services to Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, and Cardi B., to name a few, proving that entertainment has always been his calling.