Fashion in Motion: Men in Skirts

February 2002

Fashion in Motion is a series of live catwalk events presented at the V&A. Featuring some of the greatest designers of our time, Fashion in Motion brings catwalk couture to a wider audience by modelling it against the beautiful backdrop of the Museum.

Menswear is dramatically re-invented for the 21st century in this catwalk show at the V&A Fashion in Motion where men in designer skirts, dresses, kilts, sarongs, kaftans and frock coats were featured. Internationally renowned designers showed their Spring/Summer 2002 work where they reappropriated the skirt for men, a garment which until relatively recently was worn by both sexes. The skirts showcased in this event represent an alternative to conventional menswear which can be as comfortable and elegant as it is radical.

The event complemented the Men in Skirts display in Room 40 which looked at variations on the male skirt throughout history and its re-conceptualisation by leading designers. The display featured some 60 skirts and outfits and considered the male skirt within different socio-historic and cross-cultural contexts.

Jean-Paul Gaultier
Black sequinned dress, white shirt and black trousers

John Bartlett
Black leather jacket, wool jumper, black kilt and trousers

Walter Van Beirendonck
Black mask, pop-up top, miniskirt and overall

Walter Van Beirendonck
White mask, blazer, miniskirt and overall

Ozwald Boateng
Navy pinstriped suit with skirt and white shirt

Dries Van Noten
Tan jacket, white kilt and orange trousers

Kenzo
Safari jacket, white sarong and cream trousers

Maharishi
Navy dragon dress

Midas Clothing
Black shirt and red satin kilt with leather belt and wallet

Jean Charles De Castelbajac
Printed floral cotton dress and trousers with leather pouch

Philippe Dubuc
White dress and black jeans

Kenzo
Pinstriped dress

Burberry
Burberry check kilt

Dolce & Gabana
Cream cotton sarong with cream cotton jumper

Paul Smith
Polka dot shirt, yellow T-shirt and Union Jack sarong

Vivienne Westwood
Chintz and linen kilt and top with cardboard hat

Persons Unknown
Grey, pink and lime tweed jacket with grey dress and trousers

Yohji Yamamoto
Black wool dress

Daniel Moloney
Grey overcoat, grey trousers and kilt, black beaded top

Michiko Koshino
White and blue T-shirt with denim skirt

Anna Sui
Rayon skirt, trousers and sweater

Jean-Paul Gaultier
Black chiffon kaftan with dragon underpants

Jean-Paul Gaultier
Oyster jacket and trousers with verdigris shirt

Jean-Paul Gaultier
Plum jacket and long skirt with purple shirt

21st Century Kilts
Black shirt and 21st century T-shirt with imitation leather kilt

Jean-Paul Gaultier
Chiffon map kilt