As "Gossip Girl" queen Blair Waldorf once said, "Fashion is the most powerful art there is. It's movement, design and architecture all in one. It shows the world who we are and who we'd like to be." And I agree. However, on Oct. 1, 2015, designer Rick Owens showcased his Spring 2016 collection on the next level: by having his model walk the runway, strapped into a "69 position."
The fashion world has been known to push boundaries of what is conventional and what is not (I mean, we have come to a day and age where sweatpants, when paired properly with the right accessories, can be classy. I dig it). So, that Rick Owens decided to take a risk is no surprise. In past shows, other prominent designers had shocked the industry with other memorable decisions too.
When displaying his Spring 1999 collection, Alexander McQueen's models wore white clothes, sprayed with paint by robots on the runway.
Also, for Isaac Mizrahi's Fall 2011, models walked alongside poodles that had been dyed orange, blue and pink, while they themselves sported giant pom-pom headbands.
Finally, during Lily Allen's performance at the Chanel Spring 2010 show, an intentional ménage à trois between three models provided a pleasant close to the night.
I understand that the runway is a place for designers to freely express themselves, and to show to the world what they have to offer; it's a medium used to entertain a designer's audience and keep them intrigued. Unconventional methods will be used. Things will get weird. I get it.
However, I also believe some inappropriate lines can be crossed, like during Rick Owen's recent shows. In January, Owen featured full-frontal male nudity (I'll leave it up to you on whether you see pictures of that). What separates his latest show from Chanel's, is that the three-way between the models was merely a small, suggestive part with kissing, while the 69 positions were prevalent throughout. Not only is there no point to this decision, it takes away from the most important aspect of fashion runway shows: the clothes. Fashion isn't always meant to be comfortable, but I think it's a little hard to appreciate the outfits, when the model's face is turning red from being upside down. I just think it's absurd.