Ottolinger Spring Summer 2024 Fashion Show

Ottolinger's Spring Summer 2024 fashion show marked a return to the runway for the dynamic duo of Christa Bösch and Cosima Gadient, co-designers known for their subversive and body-positive approach to fashion. The Berlin-based label has remained true to its roots, delivering a captivating blend of '90s music videos, sci-fi inspiration, and a contemporary gaming aesthetic.

Despite the four-year hiatus from covering an Ottolinger show, it's evident that the designers have retained their distinctive style and attitude. Ottolinger's collaboration with Puma has significantly boosted the brand's visibility, as evidenced by a pop-up truck in the Marais adorned with silver and gold-foiled sneaker boots. The diverse array of attendees, adorned in printed bodysuits and carrying irregularly shaped bags, proved that Ottolinger's creations are indeed wearable for those who dare to embrace their unique fashion sensibilities.

In this collection, Bösch and Gadient demonstrated that their signature fierce self-expression and nightlife-centric fashion can also exude elevated sophistication. The runway was alive with jungle beats, setting the tone for a show that showcased Ottolinger's evolution.

The collection featured linen knit ensembles with cowling, clingy tops, and pants sensually rolled down at the waistband. A single-sleeved gauzy dress in a soft sand hue was particularly captivating. Denim, a staple of Ottolinger's aesthetic, made an appearance, this time adorned with a contrast flocked pattern creeping up the legs. Tattered and deconstructed tailoring challenged conventional corporate attire, while printed bodysuits showcased trompe l'oeil men's suits and cyborg anatomy, pushing the boundaries of fashion imagination.

The designers truly demonstrated their alternative creativity with the final five bridal-inspired looks. These romantic and delicately embellished creations veered away from traditional bridal silhouettes, offering a cool and unconstrained interpretation offset with black bandeau bras and boy shorts. Bösch explained that they wanted to infuse weddings with an edge, and they succeeded admirably.

The show took place in an old bank branch, transformed to embrace Ottolinger's aesthetic by featuring graffiti-covered windows, a touch of Kreuzberg on the Boulevard Haussmann. The unconventional venue mirrored Ottolinger's asymmetric world, characterized by shredded surfaces and scrappy layering that somehow achieves a perfect equilibrium. It's a world that demands attention and invites you to dive into its captivating and unconventional universe.