Runway Highlights The Fashion World Still Talks About
The runway has given us moments that stop time — the kind that live on in clips, spreads, and retellings. These are the walks and stage-craft stunners that ripple far beyond the fashion capitals and shape how we remember beauty and artistry in motion. Some may have been planned to perfection, while others sparked in the blink of an eye, but each carved its place in fashion history. Here are 20 such moments every fashion lover remembers.
1. Naomi Campbell’s Fall At Vivienne Westwood (1993)
One of the most replayed runway mishaps ever is that of Naomi Campbell tripping in 9-inch platform heels. It happened during the Westwood show. Naomi laughed off the fall, and the shoes she wore are now in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Naomi Campbell Meets Vivienne Westwood | British Vogue by Vogue
2. Shalom Harlow Vs. Spray-Paint Robots At Alexander McQueen (1999)
While Shalom Harlow stood on a platform that spun, robotic arms spray-painted her dress live on stage. She had no idea exactly what would happen during the performance, but the paint-stained dress became an instant museum-worthy piece.
Alexander McQueen spring/summer 1999 by CoutureDaily
3. Kate Moss Hologram For Alexander McQueen (2006)
To close McQueen’s Fall/Winter 2006 show, a ghostly hologram of Kate Moss appeared inside a glass pyramid. The hologram was created using Victorian theater technology called “Pepper’s Ghost”, and many audience members cried at the hauntingly beautiful finale.
Alexander McQueen Holographic Fashion Display/Experience by Sherif Manganas
4. Bella Hadid’s Spray-On Dress At Coperni (2023)
A team of scientists sprayed a liquid fiber directly onto Bella Hadid’s body, forming a live dress on the runway. Hadid stood nearly motionless for 15 minutes as the dress was created. The viral moment attracted over 1 million social media shares within 48 hours.
Coperni | Spring Summer 2023 | Fashion Show by Runway Collections
5. Lady Gaga Walks For Mugler In 9-Inch Heels (2011)
During her first-ever runway appearance, Lady Gaga, who was headlining Mugler’s Fall 2011 show, strutted in impossibly high heels. Her walk helped revive the Mugler brand and made the show an internet sensation.
6. Linda Evangelista's Bride Reveal At Fendi Couture (2022)
This appearance by Linda Evangelista marked her return to the runway after 15 years. She had previously battled with a cosmetic procedure injury. It also celebrated the 25th anniversary of Fendi's Baguette bag. Backstage, fellow supermodels were seen crying with emotion.
7. Gisele Bündchen's Final Walk At Colcci (2015)
With her family and husband, Tom Brady, watching from the front row, Gisele retired from runway modeling with a final walk at São Paulo Fashion Week. She wore a simple white lace dress, and her farewell was watched live by millions.
SPFW: Despedida de Gisele Bündchen by Rodrigo Scofield.
8. Versace’s Supermodel Reunion With Cindy, Naomi, Claudia & Helena (2017)
Four legendary supermodels recreated their 1991 Versace walk to honor Gianni Versace, 20 years after his passing. They walked to George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90,” the same song used in the original show. The reunion closed the show to thunderous applause.
9. Kristen McMenamy’s Heel Struggle At Chanel Haute Couture (1993)
A routine walk turned into a runway drama as Kristen repeatedly stumbled in towering heels. The moment became symbolic of the pain and spectacle tied to fashion's extremes. In defense of the shoes, Karl Lagerfeld claimed that beauty requires risk.
Chanel haute couture spring/summer 1993 by yasminlebondotnet
10. Rick Owens’ Step Team Performance Walk (2014)
Owens replaced traditional models with collegiate step teams performing choreographed routines. This move challenged industry norms and brought body diversity and rhythm to the runway. As for the performers, they were dancers, not models.
11. Pat Cleveland’s Whirling Finale At Halston (1975)
Pat Cleveland spun, danced, and twirled her way down the runway, and it brought a joyful, theatrical energy rarely seen in high fashion at the time. She often improvised her moves, treating the runway like a stage.
Pat Cleveland’s Untold Fashion Memories by Harper's BAZAAR
12. Viktor & Rolf’s Anti-Fashion Billboard Dresses (2019)
This collection turned runway looks into literal statements and flooded social media. Models wore massive tulle dresses emblazoned with meme-worthy slogans like “No Photos Please” and “I Am Not Shy I Just Don’t Like You.” Viktor & Rolf said the slogans were “part protest, part poetry.”
Viktor & Rolf | Haute Couture Spring Summer 2019 Full Show | Exclusive by FF Channel
13. Chanel’s Iceberg Meltdown Show (2010)
Karl Lagerfeld imported a 265-ton iceberg from Sweden to create a melting glacier set for Chanel’s Fall show. It was one of the most expensive and elaborate runway sets ever created. Models walked through real water in fur-lined boots.
Chanel ➤ Fall/Winter 2010/2011 (HD 1080p) by selgi14
14. Jeremy Scott’s Car Dress Finale At Moschino (2016)
Moschino closed the show with a model wearing a dress shaped like the back half of a Cadillac. The car lights actually lit up as she walked, and the wheels spun as she twirled on the runway.
Jeremy Scott, Celebrity Fashion Designer - Behind-The-Seams by Billboard
15. Chanel’s Supermarket Show Runway (2014)
Karl Lagerfeld transformed the Grand Palais into a fully stocked Chanel-themed grocery store. Models strutted through aisles with Chanel-branded cereal, detergent, and shopping carts. After the show, the audience raided the shelves and took home "Chanel" groceries.
Fall-Winter 2014/15 Ready-to-Wear Show – CHANEL Shows by CHANEL
16. Karl Lagerfeld’s Rocket Launch At Chanel (2017)
A life-size space rocket lifted off indoors at the end of Chanel’s Fall 2017 show. The smoke was real, but the rocket only rose a few feet. This extravagant finale became one of the most visually stunning moments in runway history.
Karl Lagerfeld on the Fall-Winter 2017/18 Ready-to-Wear Show – CHANEL Shows by CHANEL
17. Carmen Dell’Orefice, 81, Stuns At Norisol Ferrari (2013)
At 81 years old, Carmen became the oldest model to walk a major runway during New York Fashion Week. She had first walked the runway in 1945. Her appearance challenged age norms and became a milestone in inclusivity.
NORISOL FERRARI - Spring/Summer 2013 - Carmen Dell'Orefice by Lorenzo Busato
18. Gemma Ward’s Fairy Queen Debut At Dior Haute Couture (2004)
Gemma Ward opened the Dior couture show dressed like a fairytale goddess, signaling a shift in model aesthetics. She was just 16 years old at the time, and her appearance marked the rise of the “doll face” era in modeling.
Gemma Ward | Runway Collection | One of the Best Doll Faces by RMTH - Runway Models TH
19. Kate Moss Walks For Louis Vuitton After Rehab (2011)
Following a major scandal and rehab stint, Kate Moss returned to the runway at Louis Vuitton. Her comeback was seen as a triumphant moment in both fashion and pop culture. The crowd erupted in cheers, rare for a runway show.
Louis Vuitton Fall 2011 Fashion Show ft. Kate Moss by MaisonChaplin
20. Jean Paul Gaultier's Gender-Fluid Cast Walk (2011)
In a show praised for its bold rejection of traditional runway norms, Gaultier flaunted a gender-fluid cast of models. Some models kissed on stage—unrehearsed and spontaneous—and one male model wore a bridal corset and veil as the closing look.
Jean Paul Gaultier Paris Men's FW Fall 2011 Full Show | FashionTV - FTV.com by FashionTV
