Marc Jacobs rolls out red carpet for theatrical New York fashion finale

There’s been plenty of talk in New York about the democratisation of fashion, what with Givenchy inviting 800 members of the public to its spring/summer 2016 show and designer Misha Nonoo hosting the first Instagram fashion show. Marc Jacobs took the concept to a new level with a spectacle that was the last official act of New York Fashion Week. 

Jacobs has always viewed fashion as entertainment, but this time he took the theme literally. He took over the Ziegfeld theatre, where guests including Sofia Coppola and Debbie Harry grabbed Marc Jacobs-branded popcorn, T-shirts and snacks before being led to their seats in the auditorium, where a live orchestra played beneath a giant screen.

As with most of Jacobs’ collections, everything began on the street, as models emerged from a marquee and walked down a red carpet before stopping to take photos. The fashion pack watched everything on the big screen until the models finally entered the theatre.

The show was quintessential Jacobs, from the diverse casting of models – including British singer Beth Ditto – to the fantastical looks, which included some more accessible (read affordable) pieces. He referenced almost every fashionable era in Americana, from the glamorous 1940s and 1950s to grunge, in a whopping 61 looks. There were stars and stripes, military regalia, sailor suits, plaid skirts, gilded gowns and opera coats printed with singer Maria Callas’ face. Everything was piled on with abandon.

Once a showman, always a showman.  We wouldn’t have it any other way.