Colm Dillane has become well known for the creative ways he has incorporated performance art into his seasonal collections. Over the years, the KidSuper designer has created a comedy show, an art auction and a theater play. So when he opted for a proper runway show in January, it raised eyebrows with its staid and traditional approach to fashion.
But no worry, Dillane is back to his old tricks. “I never got good advice from someone who didn’t take risks,” he said.
So for his spring show slated for June 22 at the Trianon theater during Paris Fashion Week Men’s, Dillane is partnering with Cirque du Soleil on an event that will meld a runway show with performances by Cirque du Soleil artists.
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The idea is to build on the designer’s String Theory concept, where he had puppets hanging from the ceiling during one show, as well as his inaugural Paris Fashion Week show where he created Claymation stop-motion figures walking down the runway in his designs. This time, he revealed, there will be giant hands holding strings over models who are “going to be walking puppets,” Dillane explained. The idea to incorporate strings and puppetry is intended to “delve into who controls the strings in our lives, both literally and metaphorically.”
“From stop-motion dolls to Cirque du Soleil acrobats, we’ve brought puppets to life,” Dillane said.
The relationship between fashion, the circus and Cirque du Soleil will also be evident in the collection. The KidSuper sping line will feature vibrant art, bold colors and an assortment of prints on intricate designs and new silhouettes. The collection will also include a special co-branded KidSuper Cirque du Soleil capsule along with one exclusive costume created in partnership with the entertainment company.
“We are incredibly excited to be partnering with Colm and KidSuper on this innovative collaboration,” said Melanie Summers, head of licensing for Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. “Colm’s ability to push creativity and expression is in perfect synergy with the Cirque du Soleil brand.”
But will Dillane be channeling Pink and performing some acrobatics himself in the show? “I’ve been asked a lot if I have the potential to be an acrobat, but the stuff they’re doing seems dangerous, so I’ll leave it to them,” he said.
