Photo: REX1/9Louis Vuitton, Fall 1998I loved the audacity and restraint of this show. I think Marc nailed how to do a true debut and show a luxury house who is (the new) boss better than anyone else in the past 20 years.
Photo: Indigital.tv2/9Alexander McQueen, Spring 1999A collectsion of staggering beauty and violence. Just so definitive.
Photo: Indigital.tv3/9Yohji Yamamoto, Spring 1999I remember that I cried from start to finish in this show, and I don’t even think I tear up at actual weddings!
Photo: REX4/9Helmut Lang, Fall 1999I know Helmut had made so many original and beautiful statements already. But this was my first Helmut show, and I wanted to be that girl, wear those clothes, stomp around in just that way. This was modernity—period.
Photo: Indigital.tv5/9Hussein Chalayan, Fall 2000Before this season, Hussein had always done incredible, provocative shows—brilliant for sure, but often quite dark and twisted. Here, he showed his humor, his showmanship, and unparalleled craftsmanship.
Photo: FirstVIEW6/9Balenciaga, Fall 2002I think Nicolas really redefined luxury in this show. It was a huge moment in fashion for fur and fur trimmings to signal fanciness. He took a different, cooler, and harder route and used yarn to create those incredible textures.
Photo: Indigital.tv7/9Rochas, Fall 2003Olivier’s debut for Rochas was just a dream. He made the humpback the most sought-after element of high chic. Hello, amazing!
Photo: Getty Images8/9Lanvin, Spring 2005When Alber Elbaz met Fortuny it just melted your heart (and your wallet). Such an astonishing and textural collectsion of romantic, wearable clothes. Who hasn’t copied these frocks?
9/9Rodarte, Spring 2009In this collectsion, the Mulleavys went even further with wide-gauge mohair knits and laddered tights. They changed the definition of sexy sweater dressing overnight.
