In terms of show venues, it is the unfortunately the case that the 'bigger' the designer, they can afford to be more extravagant/lavish/decadent with the show venue. Just think what some of the smaller names could do to really push the vision of their collections with a sky high show budget. I'm personally disagree with those that feel catwalk shows are now irrelevant because a) images get up online so fast, b) press ppl have private press days anyway. However, when you get the added ambiance/atmosphere created by show venues such as these SS08 ones showcased by Wallpaper magazine (another mag to add to the list seeing as their fashion content is getting stronger and stronger...?), it only helps the cause of understanding what the designer is trying to do with the clothes right?
Prada's odd seating set up meant showguest sat on turquoise cylinders created by the Dutch architext Rem Koolhaas, who designed the New York and Beverley Hills Prada stores.
Chanel's regular Grand Palais venue doesn't really need any embellishment but the SS08 show had models emerging from a giant blue resin bow tie structure in the middle of the room.
The light tube pegasus' wing structure is a not actually lavish but strikingly effective at the Alexander McQueen show, especially as it pulsated and changed colour throughout the show.
It's Viktor & Rolf, there's got to be SOME shock factor. It wasn't in the clothes but in the beginning of the catwalk with models walking in and out of a huge mouth.
There seemed to be a lot of turn of the century themed shows that harked back to a time of refined elegance. Ralph Lauren was inspired by 'My Fair Lady' as a theme in both the show venue and for the clothes, for it's 40th anniversary show.
Galliano created a dishevelled fairground look with torn up newspaper, Chinese lanterns and wooden chairs that isn't a perfect kind of magical.
The film 'Performance' was played as a backdrop to Miu Miu's show so you saw anything from ballet performances in London to street festivals in Mexico.
Lanvin took the fairground theme again and strung up old fashioned strings of lightbulbs. They also served icecream to the guests (the main complaint of LFW was being underfed.... so the ice cream was a bonus...).
