The atmosphere back stage at Gareth Pugh was at first calm and then,
within a matter of seconds, frantic as we were told '5 minutes now' and
no one was dressed. Models sobbed tears of pain as the infamous Eugene
and his super-team strung up their hair into immaculate checkerboard
weave ponytails. Gimp masks were zipped up and only tiny pinhole-sized
eyeholes were cut to see out of by Alex Box, who adorned gimp masks
with chunky, futuristic, cubist shapes and tattoo-esque patterns.
Although breathing holes were a no-go.
Meanwhile,
tiny triangles of shiny patent leather PVC that made up a robot-esque
creature of the future were polished by Pugh’s 'Santa’s little
helpers', using a handy can of Mr. Sheen. Judy Blame arrived in style
with his black plastic buttons, chains, pins and bin bags to ornament
Gareth's androgynous unearthly line-up. Killer spikes and sex shoes
were put on girls and boys to complete the vision, but only after the
models were told about the moving fabric runway! 'Remember to take a
big first step so you don't trip', set designer Simon Costin quickly
mentioned before the count down. As the 12 fearful girls and boys
embarked on this almost impossible feat, barely able to see, breathe or
walk down the 20 ft floating catwalk, nerves were rife. Luckily and
miraculously, not one of these creatures fell, stumbled, or tripped.
But as soon as it was over they screamed and shouted, tore off their
outfits and fled. No one said it was going to be easy but it was a
success nonetheless!