REPURPOSED RUNWAY: HOW UPCYCLED SET DESIGNS ARE KEY TO CREATING LOW-IMPACT FASHION SHOWS
Photo Christopher Barraja, Charles Duc
03 jul 2023, for frame
Location
13 Av. du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris, France
Design
Brand
The set of Louis Gabriel Noguchi's SS24 show ‘A Single Man’ cleverly reutilized metal sheets from a previous Paf Atelier project, embodying the brand’s and the designer’s commitment to forging more sustainable fashion spaces.
Key features
The Louis Gabriel Nouchi SS24 show was staged in the mezzanine of Palais Tokyo in Paris. Paf Atelier, who designed the set, reused metal sheets mounted on wooden frames. The metal sheets were previously used for the Nike Dance Festival in 2022. To further reduce the show’s environmental impact, the materials were directly transported from Paf Atelier's warehouse and assembled on-site, eliminating the need for transportation to a production workshop. The design of the elements allowed for installation within a single day, requiring minimal hardware. A simple attachment system of orange textile straps ensured easy disassembly and extended the panels' lifespan. The metal cast reflections and silhouettes of the models occupying the runway, creating a dynamic set for the show.
FRAME’s take
This is not the first fashion show in Paf Atelier's portfolio where the set materials were sourced from their library of props – its design for Lecavalier’s AW22 show also uses of pre-constructed architectural elements. The approach of reusing and remaking props for different projects embodies a sustainable, responsible approach to set design. The designer makes clear that a low-impact approach, however, does not translate to a toned-down one. The addition of the orange textile straps adds colour to the original design solution and ensures minimal use of hardware. This detail also subtly references the launch of the brand's new fragrance, Fleur d'Oranger. The perfume's recyclable aluminium bottle was echoed by the set's reutilized metal sheets. As made evident by Louis Gabriel Noguchi's SS24 show, Paf Atelier is forging a unique path within the fashion realm, pushing the creation of genuinely sustainable spaces.