‘They all made me jump!’ Eco-friendly fashion house Collina Strada slammed after sending models down runaway in life-like animal prosthetics at New York Fashion Week show

• Models went down runaway with pig snouts, mice prosthetics and lizard heads
• The fashion-forward show received mixed reaction from fans on Twitter 
• Read More:  Julia Fox’s VERY risque reinvention of the Canadian tuxedo at New York Fashion Week

Hillary Taymour has made a name for herself in the fashion industry for being among the most eco-friendly young designers – but her latest catwalk show took that ethos to all new extremes.

Last night, the creative director of Collina Strada debuted her new Fall/Winter collection at New York Fashion Week – where she sent models down the runway in a variety of convincingly realistic animal prosthetics. 

Wearing the brand’s new distressed pink top, one model spent hours having a bedazzled pig snout moulded perfectly to their face.

Along with a silver ring in their fake nostril, they also had a pink rhinestone heart right above their right eye. 

Top top it all off, they were also given a set of pierced pig ears to wear too – which offset the pink tone of the noughties-inspired outfit.

Collina Strada’s Autumn Winter 2023 New York Fashion Week show took place last night. The majority of models were sent down the runway in some kind of animal prosthetics – including this pig snout

What’s more, another model was sent down the runway in a bright green mouse face with long white whiskers as she showed off the designer’s new silk leopard-print strapless top and shorts co-ord.

A third was given a rodent muzzle, ears and whiskers to wear as they strutted their stuff in a bikini top and bottoms with a flared skirt. 

Meanwhile, another was made to wear a vivid green lizard prosthetic over their entire head – leaving just two slits for their eyes.

In keeping with the edgy feel of the show, the model’s lizard head had an eyebrow stud and another piercing in their chin as they debuted the designer’s new checked coat and lace flares. 

Following on from this, the designer also included transgender model Aaron Rose Philip – who has modelled for Collina in previously seasons – in the show. 

The 21-year-old model – who has cerebal palsy – has previously featured on catwalks for Moschino.

The designer also made a point to include actual animals in her avant-garde show too – with another model holding onto Hillary’s dog Pow Wow! as she walked down the runway.

Along she was one of just a handful who didn’t wear a prosthetic, the model was given a top featuring an illustration of the black Pomeranian she was holding onto.

This model was dressed in a green leopard-print co-ord to offset her emerald mouse face and whiskers

A third was given a rodent muzzle, ears and whiskers to wear as they strutted their stuff in a bikini top and bottoms with flare skirt

Left: Model is sent down the runway with a pair of elf ears to offset her silk slip dress. Right: Model is given a lizard head prosthetic to model with her checked coat

Left: Model holds Hillary Taymour’s dog Pow Wow! as she wears a top modelled on the Pomeranian. Right: Model pictured with a dinosaur-inspired faux mohawk

Left: This model was sent down the runway in a bird beak to match her blue silk suit. Right: Another was given antlers to offset her turquoise ensemble

Left: Model holds a bale of hay as they strut their stuff on the Collina Strada runway. Right: A second model wears a pair of antlers 

Creative director Hillary Taymour appeared at the end of the show in a pair of velvet trousers and elf ears

When models first appeared on the runway, they were encouraged to ditch the traditional strut and adopt their chosen animals’ mannerisms.

For instance, one model in a pair of horse ears and wearing a white silk slip dress did a twirl before doing a quick gallop.

In contrast, another model wearing a dog head prosthetic dropped down to all-fours as she sniffed around some of the front row.

Guests sitting on the front row found themselves drawn into the avant-garde theme too – with musician Orville Peck wearing his signature fringed leather mask.

As the show drew to a close, Hillary herself appeared on stage in a pair of velvet trousers from the new collection and a fur-printed long-sleeved top.

Poking out from her long brown tresses were a pair of elf ears in keeping with the mystical theme of her catwalk show. 

As pictures of the divisive runway emerged on social media, one fan of the brand on Twitter said it was clear the fashion house had taken inspiration from the emergence of fantasy television shows.

The designer also included transgender model Aaron Rose Philip (pictured)  – who has modelled for Collina in previously seasons – in the show

Left: This model was given prosthetic ears with piercings. Right: Model walking down the runway with a dolphin prosthetic 

Left: Model was given a yellow prosthetic animal face to offset their vibrant leopard-print ensemble. Right: This model was given a mouse prosthetic which elongated her face

Jeremy O. Harris (left) and Orville Peck (right) pictured sitting front row at last night’s New York Fashion Week show

They mused: ‘After House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, everything related to the medieval, fantasy worlds, elves and magic was very strong.’ 

However, others weren’t so on board with the direction the fashion brand had gone in this season.

After seeing footage of the models backstage, one outraged user tweeted: ‘What the hell is going on at Collina Strada??’ 

Another added: ‘At first glance, the Collina Strada show looked very fun – but these made me jump.’

Speaking from experience, a third said: ‘Imagine opening Instagram and the first post you saw is Collina Strada’s fall 2023. I JUMPED.’

A backstage photo of a model having her ears fitted ahead of the runway. She strutted her stuff in a bikini top and bottoms

Another model pictured having the finishing touches completed on her cow snout ahead of the runway

A model pictured with more studded prosthetic ears as they pose with a rhinestone bunny ahead of the show

Collina Strada’s new Autumn Winter 2023 New York Fashion Week show received mixed reactions on

Jumping to the brand’s defence, a third said: ‘Collina Strada runway is always so strange. I LOVE IT!!’

On the Collina Strada website, the brand describes itself as a ‘platform for climate awareness, social awareness, change and self-expression.’

In a bid to be more sustainable, the brand’s clothing is produced in smaller batches in New York to reduce their wastage.

On top of this, they have partnered with the OR Foundation in Ghana to help them re-use their materials. 

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