After 10 years of being a staple in streetwear and fashion culture, Fear of God has made history and hosted the brand’s very first live runway show at the Hollywood Bowl in LA.
This moment was way overdue but it also showed that sometimes beauty takes time. Celebrating the bittersweet history of America luxury, the opening sounds of Ye’s Blood on the Leaves was the perfect way to set the narrative of not just the Fear of God’s Fall RTW 2023 runway show but of the fashion industry itself.
Fear of God founder Jerry Lorenzo talked with Vogue backstage about the inspiration behind the collection stating, “When I grew up, my dad told me stories of his grandma picking cotton. Now I have the luxury that my staff brings me fabric books, and I get to pick and choose the cotton. So there’s freedom, and there’s a responsibility that comes from a lot of pain. But more than pain, it comes from love.”
The idea of detailing the trauma that comes from America luxury while also celebrating luxury fashion, culture and lifestyle shows duality and honesty that is much needed in fashion today. Anyone who benefits from American fashion must also come to terms of what began this industry to begin with. For Lorenzo to debut his first runway show with such a strong message explains why he has so much of a cult fan base and has so much respect among his peers.
Just like the message behind the collection, the collection itself was bold and powerful with dominating power suiting engulfed in high shoulders and sleek silhouettes. Slouchy tailored outerwear, oversized trench coats, woolen coats, collarless furs and jackets over kilted pants were also signature looks that took over the runway in color palettes of pale green, butterscotch yellows, earthy browns and of course Blacks.
This collection definitely has a minimalist tone with powerful styling and hints of bolder colors that will have the potential to have anyone stand out without doing too much.
The Fear of God Fall 2023 RTW collection visually gave a haunting truth into the connection of the Black journey in America and American luxury through the cultural experience of music and style. As the show ended with a rendition of Ray Charles singing America the Beautiful, you can only reflect one the final words Lorenzo spoke to Vogue about his journey with this collection stating, “I needed to share every part of the Christian journey, the Black journey, and not just the parts that people like to pick to celebrate. You know it’s a beautiful journey. But it’s even more beautiful if you pay attention to every part of it and understand why it is what it is.”