Fashion statement: Calvin Klein goes hyper-real

New York – Calvin Klein’s spring/summer 2013 collection, presented on the final day of New York Fashion Week, included a bold use of materials that referenced sportswear but delivered a high-octane futurist punch.

Dresses included webbed overlays that resembled scientific charts or 3D computer renderings, while skirts featured high-performance latex and jackets sported structural flourishes that suggested high-tech industry. A sense of space-age engineering was applied to optimise garments in a world of pure fantasy and escapism.

The dramatic use of synthetic materials is just one way that fashion brands are engaging consumers in a voyage to the world of the hyper-real. Science fiction and storytelling have become effective ways to meet consumer demand for experiences beyond the everyday, in fashion and other creative industries.