A Silent Stage That Captivated the Audience

Viktor & Rolf presented a couture collection after a 13-year hiatus.In their 1998 couture collection, they presented pieces themed around the atomic bomb. It was a conceptual show where voluminous, mushroom-shaped collars made of organza would deflate to reveal beautifully draped garments.





This season, a carpet patterned with raked sand, reminiscent of the Ryoan-ji Temple's rock garden, covered the entire venue. Viktor & Rolf appeared dressed in black robes and began to meditate back-to-back, like Zen monks.

The venue fell silent, filled with a solemn atmosphere. Models emerged one by one, slowly. The black garments, with a glossy finish and crispness like neoprene, featured intersecting seams and voluminous constructions that emphasized complex silhouettes.



After completing their walks, the models remained seated, transforming into the stones of the rock garden.

The designers adjusted the silhouettes of the garments, and the 20 figures created a space of stillness. It was a stoic V&R-style Japonisme. "Couture is a pure laboratory of creation," say Viktor & Rolf. They plan to present both couture and ready-to-wear lines going forward.