Category
Fashion
Scaled Restraint
Trend cluster
Category
Surrealist
Runway
Designers present fantastical runway shows with surreal mythical elements.
5.4
Trend score
Trend
What is the Surrealist Runway trend?
Surrealist Runway: Designers are infusing their runway presentations with mythical, ominous motifs, and in particular utilizing symbols associated with the Surrealist art movement. This development suggests a self-awareness on the part of the designers that given the current financial and political climate, a majority of consumers may find the world of high fashion inaccessible to the point of fantasy, and as such are looking to make a connection by acknowledging the divide.
Trend themes
Themes within the Surrealist Runway trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Fantastical Runway Presentations
Designers are incorporating mythical and surreal motifs in their runway shows, appealing to the consumer who desires a sense of magical escapism.
02
Creative Expression on Fashion Silhouettes
Paint-splattered and dream-inspired clothes have become staple adds to runway offerings, inspiring designers to marry traditional notions of artistry with fashion and stir creative conversation.
03
Chunky Gothic Footwear
Designers are collaborating with sneaker and alternate fashion brands, launching unique styles - particularly chunky, goth-style shoes perfect for the avant-garde or punk fashion follower.
Industry implications
What the Surrealist Runway trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Fashion
Incorporating dream-like motifs to runway clothes and adding whimsical accessories can have a profound effect on consumer perception towards high fashion, making it more inclusive and desirable.
For
Art
Using art as inspiration for runway clothes and merging it with fashion can pique interdisciplinary concepts, drawing art enthusiasts and fashion followers alike to buy in or participate in culture.
For
Footwear
Innovating on bulky, gothic and punk-inspired shoes can cater to fashion subcultures not commonly represented by shoe brands, providing the opportunity for emerging fashion followers and unique fashionistas to feel part of the market.
Workshop question
What creative elements can you incorporate into the presentation of your product in order to better communicate a self-awareness around the potential divide between luxury and non-luxury brands?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Surrealist Runway
Trend score 5.4 out of 10, from popularity 67%, activity 86%, freshness 8%.
Popularity67%
Activity86%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha (not a primary audience)
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Surrealist Runway trend
4 featured examples from Feb 22 to Jun 25, 2018CategoryLuxury
Spooky Fantastical Runway Shows
The 2018 Gucci Runway Featured Models Carrying Their Own Heads
The fashion industry can embrace the trend of cinematic runway shows and experiment with immersive experiences and storytelling through fashion.
CategoryLuxury
Whimsically Dreamy Fashion Runways
Thom Browne's SS 2019 Capsule Debuted with Color & Imagination
Integrating imaginative and whimsical elements into fashion collections, appealing to consumers seeking unique and artistic designs.
CategoryFashion
Paint-Splattered Fashion Runways
Alexander McQueen's Spring/Summer 2019 Capsule is Artist-Inspired
Fashion industry professionals should look out for opportunities to collaborate with artists and experiment with new techniques to create unique designs that resonate with consume…
CategoryFashion
Runway-Ready Chunky Goth Boots
Adidas by Raf Simons Boasts Differently Textured Platform Footwear
The trend towards oversized platform footwear and chunky goth boots opens up disruptive innovation opportunities for footwear brands to create bold, statement-making designs that…
