This Couture Collection by Viktor & Rolf Is Literally Turned On Its Head

The Spring 2023 Couture Collection by Viktor & Rolf was a delight to witness, especially during a time when the global economic and political landscape is so “upside down”. For those who don’t have the means to splurge on high-end fashion, this sort of fashion shows can be a pompous and pretentious experience. Moreover, Viktor & Rolf managed to step it up a notch even higher when they literally turned the couture creation on its head with their latest collection.

The show itself was unique and refreshingly absurd! One of the models walked down the runway in a ball gown that was upside down, wearing an inverted 3-D printed bodice that obscured her vision. She was guided by instructions given over an earpiece. Other models wore pastel creations that were held by a frame at an angle away from their bodies, giving the illusion of a photoshopping error. A few models wore their debutante-style dresses perpendicular to their bodies, reminiscent of Wednesday Addams.

The overall effect was comical, and the designers themselves were amused by their creation. “It’s an absurd take on the stereotype of a couture ballgown,” said Rolf Snoeren, “which we translated for the 21st century.” Viktor Horsting added, “It comes from a love of glamour, but we want it to be beautiful and have a clever idea.”

According to Rolf, the designers were inspired by the internet culture and how it has affected our perception of reality. The ease of snapping photos and manipulating them with filters has led to a disconnect between what we see and the physical reality of a product. The constant barrage of information online, ranging from fashion shows to a war-zone news pieces and so on, can be overwhelming and absurd.

Despite the serious underlying message, Viktor & Rolf found a way to add humor and delight to their collection, making it a viral moment that was both funny and meaningful.