It's Gucci, Get Over It

In the wake of Alessandro Michele's brilliant runway spectacle, the world was left in a split reaction of eery humor and repulsed rejection of the mystical if not amazing boldness. Perhaps its the name value of Gucci that facilitates the acceptance of the grotesque in the fashion world, but I feel that Gucci has tapped into something much larger for the runway world.

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After reading that Giorgio Armani had a less than positive reaction toward Michele's brainchild. In a post-show interview, Armani stated:

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"No, I don’t want to be a part of this. Fashion can’t be a means to have the media talk about you. We have to move and excite but without going overboard — it’s too easy. I have never wanted to trick consumers, and what I show on the runway is what customers can find in stores."  

But was Gucci's theme overboard? I don't think so.

From the brand-specific yet strangely relatable memes that swept over Instagram last year, Gucci has been able to incorporate a truly youthful sentiment to the creative minds of designers as well as consumers. Fashion is expression, which I feel doesn't necessarily need to be a mirror of what we find in stores. The brazen statement of severed heads itself is a lot to take in, but at least we're focused on what Michele wanted us to focus on.

Michele's creative use of technology mirrors something that's also not discussed enough.

The magnificence - albeit creepiness - of the severed heads not only speaks to a potential critique of consumer culture, but also feminist theorists on cyborgism and a woman's place in fashion. It's more than tricking consumers; it's a demand to think more deeply.

The runway also contains the absurdity of curiosity that those severed heads are indeed available to desiring consumers - apparently at the price of $115, according to GQ. I suppose I'm just not convinced by Armani's argument.

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