The Fall 2021 Mugler Ready-to-Wear collection sent us into a fast-paced film of swiveling bodies presented in sleek silhouettes. A different perspective on the collection than in years past, with the assistance of dynamic acrobatics and seamless transitions, flipping back and forth between the show and behind the scenes, overall showcasing the feminine form in an agile way throughout the two environments.
Mugler sent us into the digital look book with an initial spotlight before model Sora Choi opened the show with a bold blazer paired with glossy leggings, followed by Bella Hadid falling back into the arms of, what appeared to be, a reoccurring group of anonymous figures fully covered in white bodysuits.
Creative Director, Casey Cadwallader, has once again crafted his notorious skin-tight looks with the help of filmmaking company Torso Solutions, who steered the film direction with adventurous camera angles and dynamic scene jumps, literally. It seems throughout the film, we zoom in and out of the frame while mysterious white figures jump across the screen as each look is presented with fast motion and stretched limbs. I found my mouth dropping open as the models strutted alongside linear formations of anonymous characters behind them, the physical activity complimenting each sleek design.
We see recurrences of golden chain embellishments and denim accents throughout the presentation, flowing with each scene’s contrasting fast and slow-motion cuts. Appearances of familiar faces such as Amber Valletta and Dominique Jackson gaze into the lens as we watch the swiftness of each look pass by. Stylist of the show, Haley Wollens, made her runway debut in the show, cloaked in the anonymity of a head-to-toe white bodysuit.
Wollens stated on social media that although she almost chickened out of walking down the runway. Her confidence made me want to jump through the screen and put on the look myself. It made me feel a certain way, I can’t really describe it any other way than envious, to be frank. The feature of anonymous characters as accents in the show only enhanced the viewing experience, continuing to pop up throughout, lifting models in the air and exaggerating the silhouettes of many garments, overall leaving the audience questioning who these people may be.
Although the thematic color palette of this collection was black and white, there were pops of neon in the clothing as well as in the show’s environment. Strobes of blues and whites were consistent and dramatized the environment drastically. The final lineup was visually presented, with each model launching forwards and backward sporadically, summarizing the aspect of motion from the film perfectly while maintaining a constant game of inertia and perspective. We end on the frame of Cadwallader wearing the mysterious white suit, unmasking himself to show the true face behind this collection.
Words by Joe Tankersley.
Graphic by Caden Reese.