Gareth Pugh’s Fall/Winter 2016 collection was a raw, powerful, and sinister display of femininity. Dramatic elements like dominatrix collars, star-spangled halos, and briefcases handcuffed to wrists were paired alongside a collection of oversized coats, body-hugging dresses, and leather sets in shades of nude, brown, and grey.
Viewing strong women as sexy and, at times, intimidating , Pugh drew inspiration from the 1991 psychological horror The Silence of the Lambs, specifically Hannibal Lecter’s mask. While nearly identical in construction, from the placement of the holes to the shape of the mouth, Pugh’s version was oversized and shown in matching brown and black, allowing the models to show off their bold red lipstick. The show was soundtracked by a voice growling, “I’m a man-eating machine,” further nodding to the film’s influence.
