The recent passing of Iris Apfel, the iconic geriatric influencer known for her unique sense of style, during Paris Fashion Week has sparked reflections on the art of dressing and the power of personal expression through clothing. As designers like Rick Owens and Yohji Yamamoto continue to push boundaries and redefine fashion, the debut of Seán McGirr at Alexander McQueen fell short of expectations.
McGirr, the first designer to lead the McQueen brand without a direct connection to it, struggled to capture the essence of the iconic label. His collection, inspired by McQueen’s past but lacking depth, featured sharp tailoring and avant-garde designs, but failed to evoke the same emotional resonance as previous collections.
In contrast, designers like Rick Owens and Yohji Yamamoto stayed true to their singular visions, offering collections that were both innovative and wearable. Owens’ grand visions and Yamamoto’s intricate exploration of history and emotion showcased the power of personal voice in fashion.
As the industry grapples with the pressure to appeal to a wider audience and stay relevant, the question arises: what if designers were given the freedom to create under their own names, rather than being tasked with upholding the legacy of established brands? Investing in new brands and allowing designers to fully express their creativity could lead to a resurgence of truly original and divergent fashion, much like the beloved style of Iris Apfel.
