15 of the most iconic fashion runway shows of all time

Melchi Anyinsah-BondzieNov 15, 2020, 16:53 IST

From left to right: Thierry Mugler's pearl dress, Moschino's McDonald's-inspired accessories, Givenchy's Swan dress, and Louis Vuitton's train runway.Daniel Simon/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images, Catwalking/Getty Images, Pierre Verdy/AFP/Getty Images, Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images

Fashion shows have been the way designers present their collections to notable industry counterparts for decades.
In recent years, designers and brands have made waves within the fashion world by exhibiting collections in unforgettable ways.
Thierry Mugler gave people a new take on the feminine body by presenting models in robotic outfits, while the late Karl Lagerfeld produced incredibly elaborate runway show stages for Chanel.
Insider has rounded up 15 of the most iconic runway shows of all time.

Twice a year, fashion's royalty descend on various cities to witness the latest offerings from designers. New York's Bryant Park, London's Somerset House, Paris' Grand Palais, and Milan's Piazza Duomo all set the stage for Fashion Week, held in each of the fashion capitals in February and March, and again in September and October.

In recent years, designers have been thinking of new ways to present collections. In the past, shows have included elaborate sets, celebrities, and shocking designs to wow its audiences.

Fashion shows are the highlight of any style calendar and with its ever-changing landscape, it's always inspiring to look back on the ways that designers have presented their collections.

From Chanel's intricate settings to Moschino's odes to pop culture, Insider has rounded up some of fashion's most incredible runway shows over the years.

Thierry Mugler gave us Haute Couture to the extreme for his 1995 Fall show. It was an hour-long extravaganza filled to the brim with celebrities, and the first time we saw "robot fashion" hit the runway.

Thierry Mugler, Haute Couture, Fall Winter 1995. Daniel Simon/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

Thierry Mugler gave us Haute Couture to the extreme for his 1995 Fall show. It was an hour-long extravaganza filled to the brim with celebrities, and the first time we saw "robot fashion" hit the runway.

Fashion's "Enfant Terrible," the late Alexander McQueen presented a show for Givenchy's 1997 fall collection that was typically '90s, with supermodels and eye-catching motifs. It was also one of the last times Princess Diana would attend a fashion show.

Givenchy, Haute Couture, Fall/Winter 1997. Pierre Verdy/AFP/Getty Images

Fashion's "Enfant Terrible," the late Alexander McQueen presented a show for Givenchy's 1997 fall collection that was typically '90s, with supermodels and eye-catching motifs. It was also one of the last times Princess Diana would attend a fashion show.

Only a few months after John Galliano's appointment at Givenchy, he presented his spring 1998 show at Paris' Opera Garnier. The lavish runway was set on its marble steps, with looks that were worthy of an extravagant ball.

Christian Dior, Haute Couture, Spring/Summer 1998. Daniel Simon/Contributor/Getty Images

Only a few months after John Galliano's appointment at Givenchy, he presented his spring 1998 show at Paris' Opera Garnier. The lavish runway was set on its marble steps, with looks that were worthy of an extravagant ball.

Alexander McQueen's 2001 "VOSS" collection is probably one of his most iconic runway shows. A glass box in the center of the room was revealed to contain British writer Michelle Olley naked, on a chaise lounge wearing a gas mask hooked up to various pipes, while moths fluttered around her.

Alexander McQueen, Ready-to-Wear, Spring/Summer 2001. Victor Virgile/Getty Images

Alexander McQueen's 2001 "VOSS" collection is probably one of his most iconic runway shows. A glass box in the center of the room was revealed to contain British writer Michelle Olley naked, on a chaise lounge wearing a gas mask hooked up to various pipes, while moths fluttered around her.

Marc Jacobs placed a working steam train in the middle of the runway and had models escorted off it during the Louis Vuitton ready-to-wear Fall/Winter 2012.

Louis Vuitton, Ready-to-Wear, Fall/Winter 2012. Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images

Chinese designer Guo Pei's 2013 collection was filled with outfits that looked stunning albeit heavy. Models also wore platform shoes, which were so high that many had to be escorted down the runway.

Guo Pei, Haute Couture, 2013. Suhaimi Abdullah/Stringer/Getty Images

Chinese designer Guo Pei's 2013 collection was filled with outfits that looked stunning albeit heavy. Models also wore platform shoes, which were so high that many had to be escorted down the runway.

Moschino's Fall/Winter 2014 ready-to-wear runway show was an ode to pop culture, fast food, hip-hop, and Moschino shows of the past.

Moschino, Ready-to-Wear, Fall/Winter 2014. Catwalking/Getty Images

2018 marked the 20th anniversary of Versace founder Gianni Versace's death, so his sister, Donatella, presented a runway show dedicated to "a genius . . . an icon . . . my brother."

Versace, Ready-to-Wear, Spring/Summer 2018. Victor Virgile/Getty Images

2018 marked the 20th anniversary of Versace founder Gianni Versace's death, so his sister, Donatella, presented a runway show dedicated to "a genius . . . an icon . . . my brother."

Designer Christopher Bailey marked the end of 17 years at Burberry in a show called "Time," which he described as "the past, present, and future" of the brand.

Burberry, Ready-to-Wear, Fall/Winter 2018. Ben Stansall/Getty Images

Chanel turned its summer 2019 runway into a beach. There was sand, water, and lifeguards. It was a fun show that brought back the brand's original ethos of functionality and comfortably chic fashion.

Chanel, Ready-to-Wear, Spring/Summer 2019. Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Chanel turned its summer 2019 runway into a beach. There was sand, water, and lifeguards. It was a fun show that brought back the brand's original ethos of functionality and comfortably chic fashion.

Paris Hilton as Cruella de Vil, and beauty influencer Patrick Starrr as Ursula — NYC luxury brand The Blonds gave a runway show that was a celebration of all things Disney Villains using a diverse cast of models and modern-day queer icons.

The Blonds X Disney Villains, Spring/Summer 2019. Paul Bruinooge/Getty Images

Paris Hilton as Cruella de Vil, and beauty influencer Patrick Starrr as Ursula — NYC luxury brand The Blonds gave a runway show that was a celebration of all things Disney Villains using a diverse cast of models and modern-day queer icons.

A bittersweet moment, Chanel's Fall 2019 runway show was a farewell to Karl Lagerfeld. As the soundtrack began, Lagerfeld's voice could be heard speaking in French, finishing with the words, "it's like walking in a painting."

Chanel, Ready-to-Wear, Fall/Winter 2019. Dominique Charriau/Getty Images

A bittersweet moment, Chanel's Fall 2019 runway show was a farewell to Karl Lagerfeld. As the soundtrack began, Lagerfeld's voice could be heard speaking in French, finishing with the words, "it's like walking in a painting."

Valentino showed us that representation is everything in its Spring 2019 show, where Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli wanted to bring Black women to the forefront.

Valentino, Haute Couture, Spring/Summer 2019. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Pyer Moss's Spring 2020 show was a celebration of unadulterated Blackness on a runway in an iconic corner of Brooklyn steeped in Black-American history.

Pyer Moss, Ready-to-Wear, Spring/Summer 2020. Sean Drakes/Contributor/Getty Images

The Jean-Paul Gaultier show was a celebration of modern French fashion, diversity, sex, and pop culture with over 200 looks, performances, and celebrities.

Jean-Paul Gaultier, Ready-to-Wear, Spring/Summer 2020. SAVIKO/Contributor/Getty Images

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15 of the most iconic fashion runway shows of all time

Thierry Mugler gave us Haute Couture to the extreme for his 1995 Fall show. It was an hour-long extravaganza filled to the brim with celebrities, and the first time we saw "robot fashion" hit the runway.

Fashion's "Enfant Terrible," the late Alexander McQueen presented a show for Givenchy's 1997 fall collection that was typically '90s, with supermodels and eye-catching motifs. It was also one of the last times Princess Diana would attend a fashion show.

Only a few months after John Galliano's appointment at Givenchy, he presented his spring 1998 show at Paris' Opera Garnier. The lavish runway was set on its marble steps, with looks that were worthy of an extravagant ball.

Alexander McQueen's 2001 "VOSS" collection is probably one of his most iconic runway shows. A glass box in the center of the room was revealed to contain British writer Michelle Olley naked, on a chaise lounge wearing a gas mask hooked up to various pipes, while moths fluttered around her.

Marc Jacobs placed a working steam train in the middle of the runway and had models escorted off it during the Louis Vuitton ready-to-wear Fall/Winter 2012.

Chinese designer Guo Pei's 2013 collection was filled with outfits that looked stunning albeit heavy. Models also wore platform shoes, which were so high that many had to be escorted down the runway.

Moschino's Fall/Winter 2014 ready-to-wear runway show was an ode to pop culture, fast food, hip-hop, and Moschino shows of the past.

2018 marked the 20th anniversary of Versace founder Gianni Versace's death, so his sister, Donatella, presented a runway show dedicated to "a genius . . . an icon . . . my brother."

Designer Christopher Bailey marked the end of 17 years at Burberry in a show called "Time," which he described as "the past, present, and future" of the brand.

Chanel turned its summer 2019 runway into a beach. There was sand, water, and lifeguards. It was a fun show that brought back the brand's original ethos of functionality and comfortably chic fashion.

Paris Hilton as Cruella de Vil, and beauty influencer Patrick Starrr as Ursula — NYC luxury brand The Blonds gave a runway show that was a celebration of all things Disney Villains using a diverse cast of models and modern-day queer icons.

A bittersweet moment, Chanel's Fall 2019 runway show was a farewell to Karl Lagerfeld. As the soundtrack began, Lagerfeld's voice could be heard speaking in French, finishing with the words, "it's like walking in a painting."

Valentino showed us that representation is everything in its Spring 2019 show, where Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli wanted to bring Black women to the forefront.

Pyer Moss's Spring 2020 show was a celebration of unadulterated Blackness on a runway in an iconic corner of Brooklyn steeped in Black-American history.

The Jean-Paul Gaultier show was a celebration of modern French fashion, diversity, sex, and pop culture with over 200 looks, performances, and celebrities.