Robot versus woman: watch Philipp Plein’s blockbuster S/S 2016 show video
It was a high tech punk heaven as Philipp Plein delivered his latest blockbuster show in Milan that set man against machine – or, to be more precise, robot against woman. Plein’s woman is a fierce, fearless one who is a warrior on the streets as well as the nightclubs – she’s thrown out her high heels for spiked flat boots and studded up platforms and she’s got enough leather and silver to fill up a band of high-end Harley’s Angels.
Brought to life by Thierry Dreyfus' production company Eyesight, an enormous conveyor belt was set up inside a huge warehouse on the outskirts of Milan where models were ‘assembled’ like packaged goods by gigantic swinging machines, as if at a car manufacturer. If that weren’t enough Plein also stationed a robot band called CompressorHead, a musical group of non-humans whose metal heads bounced back and forth as they punched on drums and hammered on their guitars. Next? A screaming live concert by none other than Courtney Love. It was unreal, as usual, and setting the bar ever higher for master showman Plein.
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
JJ Martin
-
Aesop’s Queer Library bookmarks brilliant literature, no purchase required
Returning to London’s Soho, 3-6 July 2025, the Queer Library pop-up offers complimentary books by LGBTQIA+ authors and allies
-
Wangechi Mutu's powerful sculptures take over the palatial interiors of Rome's Galleria Borghese
The Kenyan-born artist is the first living woman to have a solo exhibition at the villa
-
Il Sereno’s new Listening Suite is what phonophiles’ dreams are made of
Designed by Patricia Urquiola and Il Sereno founder and audiophile Luis Contreras, the new Lake Como-facing suite unites Japanese listening culture with Italian design
-
With an ode to Italy, Homme Plissé Issey Miyake brings its brand of fashion magic to Florence’s Pitti Uomo
Marking the start of a new nomadic way of showing for the Japanese label, Homme Plissé Issey Miyake held its S/S 2026 show at Florence’s Villa Medicea della Petraia as part of Pitti Uomo last night (18 June) with a collection inspired by the colours and textures of Italy
-
Milan exhibition celebrates 20 years of Armani Privé: ‘Haute couture is fashion when it becomes art’
Hosted at the Tadao Ando-designed Armani/Silos, ‘Giorgio Armani Privé 2005-2025, Twenty Years of Haute Couture’ displays an expansive collection of the Italian designer’s showstopping haute couture creations
-
Milan Fashion Week Men’s S/S 2023: Fendi to Prada
From Prada’s exploration of archetypal menswear garments to JW Anderson’s much-anticipated debut in the city, the best of Milan Fashion Week Men’s S/S 2023, as it happens
-
Milan Fashion Week A/W 2022: Prada to Bottega Veneta
In this extended report, Scarlett Conlon reports live from the Milan Fashion Week A/W 2022 shows, with rolling coverage as they take place on the runway
-
The filmic vision of Paris’ virtual men’s fashion week
Take an in-depth look at the trends of Paris' fashion week for Spring/Summer 2021, where brands turned to the moving image to express their collections virtually
-
Giorgio Armani A/W 2020 Milan Fashion Week Women's
-
Bottega Veneta A/W 2020 Milan Fashion Week Women's
-
Ports 1961 A/W 2020 Milan Fashion Week Women's