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Hillary Taymour has made a name for herself in the fashion industry for being among the most eco-conscious young designers, but her latest show took that ethos to new extremes.
Last night, the creative director of Collina Strada presented her new Fall/Winter collection at New York Fashion Week, where she sent models down the runway in a variety of convincingly realistic animal prosthetics.
In the brand’s new distressed pink top, one model spent hours with a stunning pig’s snout molded perfectly to her face.
Along with a silver ring in their fake nostril, they also had a pink rhinestone heart just above their right eye.
To top it off, they were also given a pair of pierced pig ears to wear, which offset the pink hue of the 2000s-inspired outfit.
Collina Strada’s Fall Winter 2023 New York Fashion Week show took place last night. Most of the models were sent down the runway wearing some sort of animal prosthetic, including this pig snout.
What’s more, another model was sent down the runway wearing a bright green mouse face with long white whiskers as she showed off the designer’s new leopard-print silk strapless top and shorts.
A third was given a rodent snout, ears and whiskers to wear while strutting around in a bikini top and bottom with a flared skirt.
Meanwhile, another was made to wear a vivid green lizard prosthetic over his entire head, leaving only two slits for eyes.
In keeping with the edgy feel of the show, the model’s lizard head had a pierced eyebrow and another pierced chin when they debuted the designer’s new plaid coat and lace hoods.
The designer then also included transgender model Aaron Rose Philip, who has modeled for Collina in previous seasons, in the show.
The 21-year-old model, who has cerebral palsy, has previously graced the Moschino runways.
The designer also made a point of including real animals in her cutting-edge show, with another model holding Hillary’s dog, Pow Wow! as she walked down the track.
Also, she was one of the few not wearing a prosthetic, the model was given a top with an illustration of the black Pomeranian she was holding.
This model wore a green leopard print ensemble to offset her emerald mouse face and whiskers.
A third was given a rodent muzzle, ears and whiskers to wear while strutting around in a bikini top and bottom with a flared skirt.
Left: The model is sent down the runway wearing a pair of pixie ears to offset her silk dress. Right: The model is given a prosthetic lizard head to model with her plaid coat.
Left: The model holds Hillary Taymour’s dog, Pow Wow! while she wears a top modeled on the Pomeranian. Right: Model pictured wearing a dinosaur-inspired faux mohawk
Left: This model was sent down the runway wearing a bird’s beak to match her blue silk suit. Right: Another was given antlers to offset her turquoise ensemble.
Left: The model holds a bale of hay as they strut down the runway at Collina Strada. Right: A second model is wearing a pair of antlers.
Creative director Hillary Taymour appeared at the end of the show wearing a pair of velvet pants and elf ears.
When the models first appeared on the catwalk, they were encouraged to ditch the traditional prop and adopt the mannerisms of their chosen animals.
For example, a model wearing a pair of horse ears and a white silk dress did a pirouette before galloping off quickly.
In contrast, another model wearing a prosthetic dog’s head got down on all fours while sniffing at some of the front row.
Guests seated in the front row were also drawn to the avant-garde theme, with musician Orville Peck donning his signature fringed leather mask.
As the show came to a close, Hillary herself appeared on stage in a pair of velvet pants from the new collection and a long-sleeved, fur-print top.
Poking out of her long brown hair was a pair of elf ears in keeping with the mystical theme of her pageant.
As images of the divisive catwalk surfaced on social media, a fan of the brand on Twitter said it was clear the fashion house had been inspired by the appearance of fantasy TV shows.
The designer also included transgender model Aaron Rose Philip (pictured), who has modeled for Collina in previous seasons, in the show.
Left: This model has been fitted with pierced prosthetic ears. Right: Model walking down the runway wearing a dolphin prosthetic
Left: The model was given a yellow animal face prosthetic to offset her vibrant leopard-print ensemble. Right: This model received a mouse prosthesis that elongated her face.
Jeremy O. Harris (left) and Orville Peck (right) pictured sitting front row at last night’s New York Fashion Week show
They reflected: “After House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, everything related to the Middle Ages, fantasy worlds, elves and magic was very strong.”
Others, however, were not so on board with the direction the fashion label had taken this season.
After seeing pictures of the models backstage, one outraged user tweeted: “What the hell is going on at Collina Strada?”
Another added: “At first glance, the Collina Strada show looked like a lot of fun, but this made me jump.”
Speaking from experience, a third said: “Imagine opening Instagram and the first post you saw is Collina Strada’s fall 2023. I JUMPED.”
A backstage photo of a model having her ears adjusted before the runway. She strutted her stuff in a bikini top and bottom
Another model pictured with the finishing touches on her cow muzzle before the runway.
A model pictured with more studded prosthetic ears as she poses with a rhinestone bunny before the show.
Collina Strada’s new Fall Winter 2023 New York Fashion Week show received mixed reactions in
Jumping to the brand’s defence, a third said: ‘The Collina Strada runway is always so strange. I LOVE IT!!’
On the Collina Strada website, the brand describes itself as a “platform for climate awareness, social awareness, change and self-expression.”
In a bid to be more sustainable, the brand’s clothing is produced in smaller batches in New York to reduce waste.
In addition to this, they have partnered with the OR Foundation in Ghana to help them reuse their materials.