For the Vionnet Fall 2018 collection, Goga Ashkenazi was inspired by an obscure 17th-century tale centered on the metamorphosis of a mermaid to a human and her journey of finding her true self. Taking this into consideration, Ashkenazi chose to portray the quest literally with the scalp printed gowns and more abstractly by contrasting it with the darker structured pieces.

Ashkenazi staged the show in Milan’s Civic Aquarium. A string of model-mermaids emerged from the pitch-black obscurity, where countless backlit fish tanks were replete with every possible kind of swirling marine creature. The clothes were presented against a backdrop of jungle-ready green fauna

The collection featured a one-shoulder, long flowing organza dress was printed with a scale motif. A finely pleated see-through dress in a shade of algae. Long evening dresses had nicely draped bodices, referencing Madeleine Vionnet’s genial signature style. A series of teddy city coats were paired with ’80s-inspired pantsuits, silk dusters, and printed puffer-parkas worn over matching Lycra leggings.

Each look was styled with combat boots. Ashkenazi made the street-wise staple her own by showing the show in a variety of floral prints and more classically feminine colorways.

Go backstage and discover the Vionnet Fall collection with a twist on femininity.