Gucci makes a bold statement for its Milan comback this Fall 2019

Last February's romp had models carrying their own heads, the Arles resort show explored the concept of death through a historical lens, and the Parisian nightclub event featured plenty of over-the-top frills. This season, the designer envisioned a different direction, so he threw an edgy afternoon masquerade.

Models walked beside a wall of flashing lights in an otherwise dark space, and accessories including glass teardrops, spiked collars, and golden ear covers took centre stage. 

The clothing itself stuck to Michele's maximalist use of fabrics, mixing shiny dresses with neon lace tights, tailored suit pieces, and a lighter dose of ruffles than in the past. But amidst all this noise, the collection's true stars were the masks – which ranged from opaque masquerade allusions to all-consuming metallic animals.

This theme was in reference to Hannah Arendt's 1958 book The Human Condition, which references the ambiguous potential of appearance. By mixing his quirky basics with intimidating accessories, Michele certainly accomplished this goal, showing how his collection can at once be jarring and familiar.

One can only wonder what Gucci's next campaign will look like as the brand travels into a new iteration of its aesthetic. Will the models be taking on nightlife in a whole new way? Will the brand hire a famous rebel as its latest face? Who knows, but Michele's quirk is officially the coolest aesthetic in town.