5 Iconic Runway Shows Revived in London’s “Inventing The Runway” Exhibition

Dive Into Inventing the Runway, Where Legendary Fashion Shows Come Alive Through a Multisensory Exhibition in London.

Inventing The Runway at Lightroom Gallery, Kings Cross, London, brings fashion history’s most iconic runway moments back to life. Curated by Vogue, this immersive exhibition explores the evolution of fashion shows—from exclusive couture salons to groundbreaking spectacles that shaped cultural history. Here’s a closer look at five legendary runway moments featured in this remarkable showcase.

1. Alexander McQueen, Spring-Summer 1999

Alexander McQueen’s No. 13 Finale remains one of the most iconic fashion moments. Set in a bus depot near Victoria Station, the show was a dramatic blend of Arts & Crafts influences and wartime prosthetic designs. The finale was unforgettable: Shalom Harlow, wearing a white trapeze dress, stood on a rotating platform as two robotic arms sprayed her with black and green paint. Inspired by Rebecca Horn’s High Moon, this moment highlighted McQueen’s flair for blending performance art and fashion.

2. Hussein Chalayan, Fall-Winter 2000-2001

Hussein Chalayan’s exploration of displacement and mobility transformed furniture into wearable fashion. Presented at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, the show culminated in models dismantling chairs into dresses and transforming a table into a skirt. Chalayan’s innovative storytelling, blending functionality and artistry, earned this collection a place in the annals of runway history.

3. Tom Ford, Spring-Summer 2011

Tom Ford’s return to womenswear after a six-year hiatus was a private, star-studded event. Hosted at his Madison Avenue boutique, the show featured fashion icons like Beyoncé and Marisa Berenson wearing custom-designed pieces. Ford’s focus on individuality, tailoring each look to his muses, marked a departure from conventional runway formats, making this presentation legendary.

4. Chanel, Fall-Winter 2017-2018

Karl Lagerfeld’s space-themed spectacle at the Grand Palais was nothing short of astronomical. Featuring a life-size rocket launch set to Elton John’s Rocket Man, the show combined high fashion with interstellar dreams. From astronaut-inspired tweeds to minaudières shaped like rockets, Lagerfeld’s collection showcased his genius for creating immersive narratives.

5. Balenciaga, Fall-Winter 2020-2021

Demna’s apocalyptic vision took center stage at Balenciaga’s show in Saint-Denis. Models waded through a waterlogged runway beneath swirling LED visuals of a climate catastrophe. The collection included football-inspired outfits, neoprene dive suits, and goth-inspired looks, reflecting Demna’s commentary on environmental crises and resilience.

An Immersive Celebration of Fashion History

Narrated by Cate Blanchett, Inventing The Runway debuted with an exclusive premiere at Lightroom Gallery, London, attended by fashion luminaries including Blanchett, Tom Ford, and Haider Ackermann. Combining original animations, immersive soundscapes, and a dynamic mix of classical and pop music, the exhibition transports visitors into fashion’s most iconic moments. From Alexander McQueen’s boundary-pushing artistry to Demna’s apocalyptic visions, this showcase celebrates the evolution of runway shows and the creativity, discipline, and passion that continue to shape the industry.