Strut Through Time: The Wild Origins and Rebels of the Fashion Catwalk

A new exhibition at V and A Dundee is shining a spotlight on the history and creativity of the fashion catwalk. Called Catwalk The Art of the Fashion Show, the exhibition explores how fashion shows have changed from small, private events in the 18th century to the huge, dramatic spectacles we see today. In the early days, designers would use male models to show off their clothes on the streets of Paris, and sometimes sent miniature dolls dressed in tiny versions of their designs to customers. Charles Frederick Worth was the first to create a real catwalk show, realizing that customers wanted to see how clothes looked in motion. Designers like Paul Poiret and Gabrielle Chanel soon followed, using live models to bring their creations to life.

The exhibition highlights some of the most memorable moments in fashion show history. In 2017, Karl Lagerfeld made headlines by launching a Chanel-branded rocket at his Paris show, and in another show, he built a fake supermarket where models like Rihanna and Cara Delevingne pretended to shoplift. Stella McCartney added a twist by having horses walk alongside her models. These creative ideas show how fashion shows have become more than just about clothes—they are now about storytelling and making a statement.

Scottish talent is also celebrated in the exhibition. Eunice Olumide, Scotland's first Black supermodel, remembers how early fashion shows were more playful, with models swaying and moving in unique ways. Designers encouraged different walks, like Chanel's famous slouch or Mary Quant's dancing models in the 1960s. Some designers, known as disrupters, broke the rules and did things their own way. Vivienne Westwood and Pam Hogg are examples of designers who challenged the fashion world. Alexander McQueen is remembered for his dramatic shows, like the one where robots spray-painted a dress on stage. The exhibition also features designers like Nicholas Daley, who mixes Scottish and Jamaican styles, and Charles Jeffrey, who combines fashion with music. The show aims to inspire visitors by showing that fashion is a mix of art, music, history, and teamwork, and that there are many ways to be part of the fashion world beyond just being a model or designer.