Ann Demeulemeester RTW Spring 2020

Click here to read the full article.

Did Sébastien Meunier take inspiration from the popular “goth in summer” meme? For spring, the designer delivered an almost entirely black collection, save for a couple of white looks and one blood-red evening gown.

It was a more structured offering than usual. Gone were the trailing shirt cuffs and hemlines, the New Romantic silhouette that had become Ann Demeulemeester’s signature over the years. This collection has something subversive about it, from the black pencil skirts with the swirling cutout front revealing the model’s thighs to the sexy fishnets tights and dresses. Some looks even featured cheeky one-shoulder fishnet bras, the top of which just peeped out from under a bustier dress.

More from WWD

Bags were teeny-tiny and attached to metal chain straps; earrings came in the form of single metal balls dangling at collarbone level. The models’ hair was slicked back and they sported smudged kohl around their eyes. Vinyl coats and skirts gleamed under the spotlights, sleekly sexy, while some models spotted bondage-style leather harnesses over wispy see-through knits or naked skin, a bold black strip of leather reminiscent of old-school censorship methods on primetime television.

There was a lot of skin bared in the collection, shown to the sound of an acoustic cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” A slouchy knitted dress was ripped open at the front, revealing a lace vest so see-through you could make out the model’s pierced nipple. Tailoring, more rigid that Meunier’s usual flowing silhouettes, was slashed and perforated with holes. There was nothing grungy about it though: Side slits ran along trouser legs and jackets had gaping holes around the front fastenings. It was an intensely erotic collection, sultry without being vulgar, an unexpected turn for Meunier.

Launch Gallery: Ann Demeulemeester RTW Spring 2020

Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.