Earth, Wind, and Fire: An Ode to The Outdoor Fashion Show

Spending time outdoors is a luxury at the moment. With everyone confined to their homes and practicing social distancing to help flatten the curve of coronavirus cases, we don’t have the opportunity to, say, leisurely stroll through the park, hike up a mountain, or at the very least, get caught in an unexpectedly refreshing spring rainstorm. Ironically, April also marks Earth Month, which not only serves as a reminder of how important sustainability practices are during this crisis but also just how beautiful Mother Earth is, even if she seems out of reach at the moment. But for those fashion lovers among us, one place to find a momentary visual escape back into nature is through the vibrance of outdoor runway shows. During the last decade, many designers exposed their collections to the elements, some choosing far-flung, exotic destinations like Rio de Janeiro and Morocco. Others have taken advantage of their own public city spaces in Paris and New York.

There has been fire (thanks, Rick Owens), as well as rain and wind and a lavender field. Some were memorable for the not-so-favorable adventure of it all, namely, Kanye West’s Yeezy spectacular saga on Roosevelt Island in sweltering heat. But there’s something transcendent about watching beautiful clothes be paraded in a spectacularly organic setting. Karl Lagerfeld was really the first to put an emphasis on the destination show, having once brought attendees to places like the harbor of St. Tropez and a historic promenade in Havana. Since 2015 or so, designers beyond Lagerfeld and other major luxury brands have become more and more experimental with their en plein air shows, creating elaborate set designs to underscore natural landscapes. They are transcendent, and even as we all continue to stay at home, the outdoor fashion show can serve as a reminder of what’s on the other side of quarantine. They can bring some of Mother Earth’s magic from the outside, in.

Below, here are a few favorite outdoor shows from the past, with wind, rain, sunshine, and a little fire too.