The Puppets and Puppets Spring Summer 2024 fashion show at New York Fashion Week presented a unique blend of playful and chic elements, embracing the brand’s hallmark eccentricity and style. The show, held in the auditorium of the Immaculate Conception Church, offered a lively and whimsical experience. It began with Carly Mark, the creative force behind Puppets and Puppets, making a striking entrance, evoking the spirit of Edie Sedgwick and channeling a bold, no-pants look with tights.
The collection was characterized by a mix of feminine party dresses, relaxed pants, and workwear-inspired jackets, versatile for the various demands of life in New York City. The use of sheer fabrics in ankle-length dresses created a mirror to the models’ movements, set to the nostalgic sounds of a live saxophone playing tunes like “Careless Whisper,” reminiscent of subway buskers.
Adding to the whimsical atmosphere, the venue featured dancing animatronic cats carrying the brand’s iconic miniature cookie bags. The theme of the collection carried an air of haunting beauty, drawing inspiration from the 1964 Japanese film “Kwaidan.” This theme was reflected in the garments, which blended romance with gothic mystique. Mark incorporated elements reminiscent of seance photos from the turn of the century, with models sporting front trains of their dresses in their mouths, creating an eerie and otherworldly effect.
The collection revisited volume, a signature of early Puppets and Puppets designs, featuring beautifully proportioned tent-back jackets paired with taffeta interpretations of JNCO jeans, blending high fashion with streetwear elements. Kitsch and metallic elements were also present, adding whimsy and nostalgia to the runway.
Overall, the Puppets and Puppets SS24 collection was a creative exploration of emotion, empowerment, and self-expression, breaking free from societal constraints and embracing the true self. It was a testament to strength through adversity, exuding resilience and beauty in its unique fashion narrative.
