Philipp Plein, who has quickly built a name for himself with his over-the-top runway spectacles, installed a real roller coaster as the centerpiece of his fall show. In keeping with the theme of the men’s lineup he showed in January, the German designer sent out an opulent collection of streetwear staples worked in hyper-luxurious materials. “Fashion is now happening on the street,” Plein said backstage before the show, perplexed at the industry’s inclination to source inspiration from past decades. “The world changed and people are looking for different things.”
Plein worked crocodile, python and mink in T-shirts, track pants, biker jackets and intarsia coats with a sporty, casual feel, and showed eveningwear that included a plethora of sexy maxidresses with slits, cutouts and crystal embroideries. The designer’s strategy appears to be paying off: Plein said the company is set to open 30 to 40 stores within the year.