“Plato’s Atlantis”: An iconic show, the legacy of which will live on forever…

Alexander McQueen’s SS 2010 show, titled “Plato’s Atlantis”, unveils a future, where humans are forced to adapt to the consequences of climate change and rising ocean levels. He explores this through the prism of Plato’s myth of a lost underwater civilization, where humans return to the ocean, mutating into amphibious creatures.
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The collection presented 45 marvelous looks, which pushed the boundaries of fashion technology and artistry.
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Combining digitally-printed patterns with exaggerated silhouettes, McQueen re-engineered the human form, as it gradually transformed from earth-creatures to amphibious beings. This is also reflected in the color progression throughout the show, as it gradually changed from beige and brown tones to shimmering silvers, metallics, and blues.
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However, this collection is not only notable for its sartorial excellence. The show is heavily rooted in cultural and personal context, touching upon public discourse relating to climate change, the rise of digital culture (this was the first show ever to be live-streamed), and McQueen’s turbulent state of mind at the time.
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The grotesque representations of what humans could become through intricate designs and otherworldly accessories were interpreted by many as McQueen’s swan song.
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To this day, “Plato’s Atlantis” is considered one of the most influential fashion collections of the 21st century as it redefined the relationship between fashion, technology, and storytelling, and inspired a generation of tech-forward fashion design.