Argento, reimagined

MSGM FW20
By Jake Hall | Fashion | 13 January 2020
Photography Nicky Zeng

Last Friday, MSGM shared an ominous quote on Instagram which simply read: “fairytales are terrifying things.” Two days later, guests were ushered into a dark room bathed in the blood-red glow of a light sculpture. This was the set of the brand’s FW20 show, a collaboration with famed Italian horror film director Dario Argento – known for classics like Inferno and Suspiria, which experienced an international renaissance when remade by Luca Guadagnino back in 2018. So far, so spooky.

Collaborations have always reigned supreme in fashion; this time, creative director Massimo Giorgetti mined Argento’s poster archive, reprinting classic artwork onto a series of shirts and t-shirts. The collection’s colour palette was also inspired by the director’s cinematography: dark green, jet black and pillarbox red, offset by the occasional shock of burnt orange and fuchsia.

Most looks were classic, with belted trenches and tweed overcoats accessorised with loosely-threaded ties and printed silk scarves. Boxy, short-sleeve shirts were worn over puff-sleeve silks in a unique take on winter layering, and naturally there were a handful of denim jackets and puffer coats to satisfy buyers.

The ribbons of smoke which billowed around models added a campy, atmospheric twist to a collection which proves that collaborations can impress when done right. Argento had a hand in everything from the staging to the printing, making this an immersive realisation of the aesthetic which makes him a cult favourite, even five decades into his career.

GALLERYBackstage images from MSGM FW20

GALLERYCatwalk images from MSGM FW20





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