Fashion history is punctuated by unforgettable moments that transcend clothing and captivate the cultural zeitgeist. These moments are often born on the runway, as a fashion show is where design, art, music, and performance collide. From supermodel reunions and robotic spray-painting to digital innovation and futuristic couture, here are the 16 greatest fashion shows of all time.
Versace Autumn/Winter 1991 ‘Freedom’
No fashion show moment can beat the rise of the supermodel. In a show that defined an era, Gianni Versace sent Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, and Cindy Crawford down the runway lip-syncing to George Michael’s Freedom! ’90. It was a moment that established the runway as a place for performance and catapulted the iconic foursome to superstardom.
Thierry Mugler Autumn/Winter 1995
An opulent theatrical spectacle held at Paris’s Cirque d’Hiver, this show marked the house’s 20th anniversary with over-the-top sci-fi silhouettes, corsetry, and stars like Jerry Hall, Pat Cleveland, and Patty Hearst, who performed a striptease. Mugler’s vision of hyper-glamour set a precedent for fashion fantasy.
Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 1999
In one of fashion’s most poetic moments, model Shalom Harlow stood on a rotating platform while robotic arms spray-painted her white dress live. It was the first of its kind and a type of performance that we’ve rarely seen again on the runway.
Dior Fall/Winter 2007 Haute Couture
John Galliano’s theatrical genius shone during his time at Dior, and no show exemplifies this better than his Couture FW07 collection. Extravagant silhouettes and intricate detailing turned this show into a masterclass in haute couture storytelling that could quite frankly give Bridgerton a run for its money.
Prada Autumn/Winter 2012
Menswear never looked so good! Minimalism clashed with graphic maximalism in this psychedelic collection. But it was the casting that made fashion history. Miuccia Prada invited some of Hollywood’s most legendary villains to storm the runway, including Gary Oldman, Willem Dafoe, Adrien Brody, Tim Roth, and Jamie Bell.
Chanel Autumn/Winter 2014
Karl Lagerfeld was known for his elaborate fashion show sets, and the stage for his Autumn/Winter 2014 show at Chanel will forever be remembered as one of his best. Lagerfeld transformed the Grand Palais into a Chanel supermarket. Models strutted down aisles with Chanel-branded groceries and trollies, making a statement on consumerism. It was playful, satirical, and utterly unforgettable.
Fendi Couture Autumn/Winter 2016
When it comes to staging a fashion show at an iconic landmark, it really doesn’t get any better than the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The show marked Karl Lagerfeld’s 50th Anniversary at the brand and paid homage to both Italian heritage and craftsmanship. Models such as Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner appeared to walk on water in fairytale furs and romantic silks.
Chanel Autumn/Winter 2017
Another one of Karl’s masterpieces was for Chanel AW17. He went intergalactic by installing a life-size rocket ship in the Grand Palais. Models walked in sleek, space-age tweeds, metallic boots, and astronaut-inspired silhouettes. As the finale neared, the rocket dramatically “launched” in a burst of smoke and lights while Elton John’s Rocket Man played.
Versace Spring/Summer 2018
In homage to Gianni Versace’s 1991 show, Donatella reunited the original supermodels for the brand’s SS18 show. Naomi, Claudia, Cindy, Helena, and Carla closed the show in gold.
Chanel Autumn/Winter 2019
A snowy alpine village was recreated indoors for Lagerfeld’s final collection after his passing, transforming the Grand Palais into a serene winter wonderland. The atmosphere was deeply emotional, models fought back tears, and the fashion world mourned a legend.
Coperni Spring/Summer 2023
In a headline-dominating moment that could rival Alexander McQueen’s 1999 show, Bella Hadid stood still while technicians spray-painted a white latex dress onto her body live on stage. The performance was innovative and cemented Coperni as a key player in making a fashion show a spectacle.
Valentino Couture Autumn/Winter 2023
Set in the regal ambiance of Château de Chantilly, Pierpaolo Piccioli’s collection for Valentino Couture AW23 was a fairytale come to life. The runway unfolded on an open-air terrace at sunset, where tailored menswear met grand couture gowns in rich jewel tones. Kaia Gerber opened the show wearing jeans made out of fully micro-crystal-encrusted denim!
Jacquemus Autumn/Winter 2023 ‘Le ChouChou’
Staged in the manicured gardens of the Palace of Versailles, Jacquemus’ “Le Chouchou” show fused French aristocratic romance with contemporary sensuality. Guests watched from boats as models walked a long runway.
Maison Margiela Couture Spring/Summer 2024
John Galliano’s return to peak theatrical form came through a nightmarish dream of cracked porcelain dolls, distressed fabrics, and ghostly beauty. Models moved like marionettes in a silent film, drenched in Galliano’s genius. The show was not just couture—it was cinema.
Schiaparelli Couture Spring/Summer 2024
Daniel Roseberry’s shows for Schiaparelli always leave me awe-struck, but none more so than his Couture SS24 collection. Couture is often seen as an alien concept to those who don’t understand the artistry, and Roseberry played with this concept, creating a collection full of otherworldly silhouettes and fabrics.
Coperni Spring/Summer 2025
For Spring/Summer 2025, Coperni presented a collection that celebrated youth, nostalgia, and imagination. Oh, and it was shown at Disneyland Paris, no less. I’m not sure there has ever been a more magical backdrop to a fashion show.