Photo: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Whether they like it or not, designers have become socio-political messengers nowadays, and those who embrace it usually stand out. However, such wasn’t the case for Roland Mouret with his stale showing during London Fashion Week. No, the models in his Fall 2019 show weren’t wearing oversized pieces as a nod to sportswear. Some of their looks were actually two-to-three sizes larger intended for shapelier women. And no, the menswear wasn’t just too soft for comfort. They were actually womenswear styled on men in an attempt to highlight gender fluidity. In his own attempt to hit two birds with one stone (in terms of social issues), Mouret ended up hitting none! His gimmicks were so subtle, it didn’t register at all. And if that’s the case, then what’s the point of it all? If he wanted body diversity, he should have cast larger women to walk on his runway. If he wanted to showcase gender-fluidity, non-binary models were all on offer for him to use in his show. Instead, he tried to showcase new ideas with not-so-new fashions and a stale presentation. Better luck next season, Mr. Mouret!
