The most shocking fashion moments of all time that surprised everyone

Fashion weeks demonstrate a new approach to styling, which designers execute with their progressive and creative mindset. These runway shows are a great way to introduce fashion trends that we otherwise miss. However, these runways are also famous for giving the industry some shocking fashion moments. These moments aren’t just subject to a certain style, a particular model, or a specific runway show—they just happen. Sometimes planned, sometimes random.

Fashion shows have a history of making news over time as models showcase the latest collection from renowned designers. Want to know more about some of the most shocking fashion moments of all time that made headlines? We’ve got you covered.

Check out the most shocking fashion moments that surprised everyone

A teletubby on the London Fashion Week runway

Bobby Aley, a mainstay of London Fashion Week, used Teletubbies (1997). With the help of colorful elastic bands, models like Kit Butler and Jhona Burjack wore unique spiky hairstyles. In other cases, the models wore wigs designed to look like the familiar heads of the Teletubbies.

Alexander McQueen’s Joan of Arc finale

Alexander McQueen’s Fall 1998 collection had a somber vibe due to the inspiration taken from the murders of Joan of Arc and the Romanov family. Several models appeared in chain dresses in keeping with the Joan of Arc motif, while the color scheme highlighted blood red, black and silver. Also, with no eyebrows and bleached blonde hair styled into medieval-inspired looks, the models wore blood-red contact lenses.

The final model was surrounded by a ring of flames and wore a red beaded dress to hide her face. As the fire spread, she writhed and writhed to bear a close resemblance to Joan of Arc.

Rick Owens’ Human Runway Backpack

The American designer’s Spring 2016 collection at Paris Fashion Week (2015) featured stunning garments made of sculptural silk gauze and draped organza, but with a twist – models were accessorized with human backpacks, meaning that one woman tangled on top of another like a backpack strapped with straps. According to the designer, his collection was about food, sisterhood/motherhood and regeneration along with women raising women, women becoming women and women supporting women.

A controversial design from Gucci

A black knit turtleneck sweater from Gucci’s Fall/Winter 2018 collection that was labeled a Balaclava wool jumper has been pulled from stores by the luxury Italian retailer. The USD 890 sweatshirt was first introduced on the runway. It had a black neck and large red lips surrounding a hole for a mouth. Many criticized the outfit, which was inspired by vintage ski masks, for launching during Black History Month.

Fashion followers called it a racist narrative promoted by Gucci. The backlash became headline news and Gucci was forced to issue a written apology, which ensured the jumpers left stores.

Karlie faces massive backlash

At the 2012 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, the ‘Calendar Girls’ section ran a month and only had eleven. That’s because Karlie Kloss wore animal-print underwear, turquoise jewelry, and a long feathered headdress, likely symbolizing the historic mingling of Pilgrims and Native Americans associated with Thanksgiving. Many people were horrified to see her head, commonly known as a war bonnet, being worn as a costume when pictures of the program filmed before it aired were released. The fact is that it is sacred and forbidden in Native American tribes. In response, the year was shortened to eleven months, and VS and Kloss (representing November) expressed regret.

The track has no age limit

Italian model Benedetta Barzini, 73, who was chosen by Simone Rocha to walk her autumn/winter 17 runway in London, showed there is no upper age limit for models. The collection was a glorification of the power and ingenuity of women throughout their lives.

It became the talk of the town and a lifetime moment for models like Marie-Sophie Carr and Barzini.

PETA on the Victoria’s Secret runway

In 2002, Gisele Bündchen was walking the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show when PETA protesters charged the stage waving posters that read, “Gisele: Fur Scum.” The demonstration occurred in response to information that Bündchen had secured a deal with furrier Blackgama. Bundchen, who pulled off her famous runway look looking completely unfazed by the whole situation, credited the gatecrash with making her stop doing fur campaigns later on.

When the angel struck

In 2014, when Ariana Grande appeared on the VS stage, Elsa Hosk, a taller model, bumped into Grande. This wasn’t a target race, but rather an actual crash as poor Grande’s head was smacked by the arm of Hosk’s pink furry angel. The humorous event was not televised because the program was actually double-filmed to catch any mistakes. But a photographer clicked the pictures and they went viral.

Naomi Campbell’s Iconic Fall

At Vivienne Westwood’s Fall/Winter 1993 show, Naomi made headlines when she fell while wearing extremely high platform heels. When the supermodel suffered a dramatic fall on the runway, she wore a plaid skirt, a pink feathered boa along with platforms. But she shrugged it off with a laugh and got back up to finish her walk.

Madonna’s revealing outfit

To generate money for AIDS, a serious health crisis, Gaultier organized a fashion event in honor of amfAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research) in 1992. On the runway there was everything, including Dr. Rubber coated Ruth. But the most shocking fashion moment was when Madonna took to the runway and opened a fitted blazer to reveal her outfit which featured an underwired bra that exposed her breasts.

(Main and Featured Image: Courtesy Yogendra Singh/Unsplash)