Marc Jacobs, who arrived fashionably late to his own spring/summer 2008 runway show, was the first to emerge from backstage, a premeditated surrealist gesture which ultimately set the tone for an atypical collection of fantastical amusement.
Production designer and art director Stefan Beckman, a long time collaborator of the house, devised a dreamlike set scattered with oversized monochromatic picture frames and a suspended screen featuring a film of each model in their underwear – the same briefs and bralettes that brazenly peeked out of nearly every look.
Stripped of frivolous undertones and devoid of fashion world formalities, the collection was, instead, a quirky commentary on the parallels existing between art and fashion. As the show commenced with sheer, shimmering eveningwear and deconstructed gowns – garments typically reserved for a collection’s finale looks – models’ extreme bed-head bouffants were accessorized by unexpected objects and eccentric headpieces straight out of a 20th century Rothschild Surrealist Ball. Patel daywear and relaxed tweed skirt suits were complimented by delicate pins, exaggerated gloves and heavy pearl necklaces, begging comparison to glamorous yet somewhat deranged Hollywood stars of the 1960s – cue in Valley of the Dolls. Jacobs’ stylized creative notions centered on elements of visual deceptiveness and optical trickery, seen in the collection’s collaged handbags, upside-down heels and seemingly smaller-than-normal footwear, all of which successfully teased the eye and required further examination to fully comprehend.
All things considered, Marc Jacobs’ spring/summer 2008 collection ventured into the realm of performance art; an avant-garde offering of theatrical looks that succeeded in challenging the 21st century fashion world zeitgeist.
![Marc jacobs ss 2008 muse board](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3Ia3sRkvlNB5Bu4x8fhWxN/da74aab1326646a4c473feaa1a070d9e/Marc_Jacobs_SS_2008_Muse_Board.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
References
- 1
- 2
- 3
Salvador Dalí
Hats
![10d8f6e2094353244afe3800485e54da](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6LWtsxRDlWagyBZpDEoSNK/a24c6f771d9c8a7162ee43168d58dda2/10d8f6e2094353244afe3800485e54da.jpg)
Elsa Schiaparelli
Hat, 1937-1938
![2006bk4755](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/zj7M4uOpbYylNLKY1TF1v/a08d91cbddc820e885e9d004d62a8920/2006BK4755.jpg)
Rudi Gernreich
Trompe l'oeil Bodysuit
![Rudi gernreich trompe l oeil bodysuit](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/OmlDVJaHSJX6dIcv5AzGm/cae032d1325c452bbb0a76eff35b2809/Rudi_Gernreich_Trompe_l_oeil_Bodysuit.jpg)
Man Ray
Choreographer and dancer Helen Tamiris, 1929
![Man ray choreographer and dancer helen tamiris 1929](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/16zVGJJhgSHAfVew9BFX4b/af03944495e8e5fb0064955e4b65c941/Man_Ray__Choreographer_and_dancer_Helen_Tamiris__1929.jpg)
Elsa Schiaparelli
Bra, 1940
![Bra by elsa schiaparelli 1940.](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2qJ51fStiNc1VU6rcyQxIr/777f8eec4bf888e37746686fd1b6c4aa/Bra_by_Elsa_Schiaparelli__1940..jpg)
Salvador Dalí
The Mae West's Lips Sofa, 1936
![The mae west s lips sofa 1936 by salvador dali](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/FCnUf438aDL2z5vBH7H0M/7cb7fa95cd4ad7293fa3507b7bb5ab0f/The_Mae_West_s_Lips_Sofa__1936_by_Salvador_Dali.jpg)
Francois-Xavier Lalanne & Claude Lalanne
Cocodoll Bed, 1964
![Francois xavier lalanne claude lalanne cocodoll bed 1964](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/71wX2UEi4lJh2Byn3KNMtY/d42ff82a17e89f60f5d251a788f11b5a/Francois-Xavier_Lalanne___Claude_Lalanne__Cocodoll_Bed__1964.jpg)
Rene Magritte
The Son of Man, 1964
![Rene magritte the son of man 1964](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4PMnYLuMH2XGsu1WueEKYO/5b880695357a43f690b4357b8936c3fe/Rene_Magritte__The_Son_of_Man__1964.jpg)
Andy Warhol
Truman Capote Gold Shoe, 1957
![Andy warhol truman capote gold shoe](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7krBzQKc7vLTqU6kh2Uue8/8331df164823e4c8875e6b39a62cdf66/Andy_Warhol_Truman_Capote_gold_shoe.jpg)
Andy Warhol
25 Cats Name[d] Sam and One Blue Pussy, 1956
![Andy warhol 25 cats name d sam and one blue pussy 1956 2](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/UEHvSClPQognHx2IpeNS1/2648f026cae6f5c61fccfbb235768c6b/Andy_Warhol__25_Cats_Name_d__Sam_and_One_Blue_Pussy__1956__2_.jpg)
Andy Warhol
25 Cats Name[d] Sam and One Blue Pussy, 1956
![Andy warhol 25 cats name d sam and one blue pussy 1956](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3q9GIPlOGZWNMRZHA30I1p/0c786f508a5c120c69c1c2eb2e507873/Andy_Warhol__25_Cats_Name_d__Sam_and_One_Blue_Pussy__1956.jpg)
Geoffrey Beene
Dress, Fall/ Winter 1967–68
![Dress fall winter 1967 68. geoffrey beene american](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4DbyVKUgiPkv1AWPQIpBNN/24b2ab4644062546ba23c0fd8b116e38/Dress__fall_winter_1967___68._Geoffrey_Beene_American.jpg)
Émile Aillaud
Pantin, Seine-Saint-Denis, 1954
![E mile aillaud 1954. pantin seine saint denis.](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7HVimsMU2dolgDn6zK3ulK/2a86ef941e5fcd0aaf6777ab595e3442/E__mile_Aillaud__1954._Pantin__Seine-Saint-Denis..jpg)
Peter Fischli & David Weiss
The Three Sisters, 1984
![Fischli weiss peter fischli swiss born 1952 and david weiss swiss born 1946 . the three sisters. 1984](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5YBUHY3YlabtYuFFDaqTNG/3abf4e9ef6233254ac6a8c26c9e884e3/Fischli_Weiss__Peter_Fischli__Swiss__born_1952_and_David_Weiss__Swiss__born_1946_._The_Three_Sisters._1984.jpg)
François-Xavier Lalanne
“Sauterelle” Bar, 1970
![Franc ois xavier lalanne s whimsical 1970 sauterelle bar](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3763NzOu1Flgy77DG83UuR/a08c263fd9327eeb1796e27a9297f7b7/Franc__ois-Xavier_Lalanne___s_whimsical_1970____Sauterelle____Bar_.jpeg)
Gafas
Vintage Eyewear
![Gafas vintage raras museo de las gafas y anteojos de pari s](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1PglH1VN2thzspScHVYTUo/143de9aa4e9b9c3ca6af7579b37a159a/Gafas-vintage-raras-museo-de-las-gafas-y-anteojos-de-Pari__s.jpg)
Miu Miu
Guinevere van Seenus, Spring/ Summer 1996
![Guinevere van seenus at miu miu ss 1996](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3WbDQHKMdp4uGu7M2qooB0/5babbe53e9c6bf037d004c0434ef036a/Guinevere_van_Seenus_at_Miu_Miu_SS_1996.jpg)
Irving Penn
Single Oriental Poppy, 1968
![Irving penn single oriental poppy 1968](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/pp9zK0irHMEQf8Vu7GcYn/ff239fac5d5a15a531bd1364082b4266/Irving_Penn__Single_Oriental_Poppy__1968.jpg)
Isabella Blow
Lobster Hat
![Isabellablow lobster](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7lLqM2M6Al6tiy6VBM2xog/44e7013fb9e6748808b12c7e9dcd148d/isabellablow_lobster.jpg)
John Wesley
Getting off the subway at St. Tropez, 1992
![John wesley getting off the subway at st. tropez 1992](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1Lf9abbv77CgerBxhYTgkN/ac4c11b47f150d38e49460db5e6d8ff8/John_Wesley__Getting_off_the_subway_at_St._Tropez___1992.jpg)
Kazumasa Yamashita
Face House (Maison Visage), Kyoto, 1974
![Kazumasa yamashita face house maison visage kyoto 1974](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4z1J3pxkWKehuDk4IaElmi/49625ced75f84b61cd01e5862545eb3f/Kazumasa_Yamashita__Face_House__Maison_Visage___Kyoto__1974.jpg)
Luis Barragán
Galvez House, Mexico City
![Luis barraga n galvez house mexico city.](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/59E0G4CNXbMVzPDy7fPQVM/e68b42b635f4828dbe22597e37777693/Luis_Barraga__n___Galvez_House__Mexico_City..jpg)
Gaetano Pesce
Polyurethane Houses in Puglia, Italy
![Polyurethane houses in puglia by gaetano pesce](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1v0tt5kjzfeRLDNccy3w08/f1944ec205e34a8961fc1ef9de86a8f5/Polyurethane_Houses_in_Puglia_by_Gaetano_Pesce.jpg)
Thierry Mugler
Spring/ Summer 1999
![Thierry mugler ss 1999](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/CyLhoFOuEcFdQ3aLXV45T/910f13647453b229f27ac3cc83bd69fa/Thierry_Mugler_SS_1999.jpg)
References
![10d8f6e2094353244afe3800485e54da](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6LWtsxRDlWagyBZpDEoSNK/a24c6f771d9c8a7162ee43168d58dda2/10d8f6e2094353244afe3800485e54da.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Salvador Dalí
Hats
1 of 24
![2006bk4755](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/zj7M4uOpbYylNLKY1TF1v/a08d91cbddc820e885e9d004d62a8920/2006BK4755.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Elsa Schiaparelli
Hat, 1937-1938
2 of 24
![Rudi gernreich trompe l oeil bodysuit](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/OmlDVJaHSJX6dIcv5AzGm/cae032d1325c452bbb0a76eff35b2809/Rudi_Gernreich_Trompe_l_oeil_Bodysuit.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Rudi Gernreich
Trompe l'oeil Bodysuit
3 of 24
![Man ray choreographer and dancer helen tamiris 1929](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/16zVGJJhgSHAfVew9BFX4b/af03944495e8e5fb0064955e4b65c941/Man_Ray__Choreographer_and_dancer_Helen_Tamiris__1929.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Man Ray
Choreographer and dancer Helen Tamiris, 1929
4 of 24
![Bra by elsa schiaparelli 1940.](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2qJ51fStiNc1VU6rcyQxIr/777f8eec4bf888e37746686fd1b6c4aa/Bra_by_Elsa_Schiaparelli__1940..jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Elsa Schiaparelli
Bra, 1940
5 of 24
![The mae west s lips sofa 1936 by salvador dali](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/FCnUf438aDL2z5vBH7H0M/7cb7fa95cd4ad7293fa3507b7bb5ab0f/The_Mae_West_s_Lips_Sofa__1936_by_Salvador_Dali.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Salvador Dalí
The Mae West's Lips Sofa, 1936
6 of 24
![Francois xavier lalanne claude lalanne cocodoll bed 1964](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/71wX2UEi4lJh2Byn3KNMtY/d42ff82a17e89f60f5d251a788f11b5a/Francois-Xavier_Lalanne___Claude_Lalanne__Cocodoll_Bed__1964.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Francois-Xavier Lalanne & Claude Lalanne
Cocodoll Bed, 1964
7 of 24
![Rene magritte the son of man 1964](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4PMnYLuMH2XGsu1WueEKYO/5b880695357a43f690b4357b8936c3fe/Rene_Magritte__The_Son_of_Man__1964.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Rene Magritte
The Son of Man, 1964
8 of 24
![Andy warhol truman capote gold shoe](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7krBzQKc7vLTqU6kh2Uue8/8331df164823e4c8875e6b39a62cdf66/Andy_Warhol_Truman_Capote_gold_shoe.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Andy Warhol
Truman Capote Gold Shoe, 1957
9 of 24
![Andy warhol 25 cats name d sam and one blue pussy 1956 2](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/UEHvSClPQognHx2IpeNS1/2648f026cae6f5c61fccfbb235768c6b/Andy_Warhol__25_Cats_Name_d__Sam_and_One_Blue_Pussy__1956__2_.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Andy Warhol
25 Cats Name[d] Sam and One Blue Pussy, 1956
10 of 24
![Andy warhol 25 cats name d sam and one blue pussy 1956](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3q9GIPlOGZWNMRZHA30I1p/0c786f508a5c120c69c1c2eb2e507873/Andy_Warhol__25_Cats_Name_d__Sam_and_One_Blue_Pussy__1956.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Andy Warhol
25 Cats Name[d] Sam and One Blue Pussy, 1956
11 of 24
![Dress fall winter 1967 68. geoffrey beene american](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4DbyVKUgiPkv1AWPQIpBNN/24b2ab4644062546ba23c0fd8b116e38/Dress__fall_winter_1967___68._Geoffrey_Beene_American.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Geoffrey Beene
Dress, Fall/ Winter 1967–68
12 of 24
![E mile aillaud 1954. pantin seine saint denis.](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7HVimsMU2dolgDn6zK3ulK/2a86ef941e5fcd0aaf6777ab595e3442/E__mile_Aillaud__1954._Pantin__Seine-Saint-Denis..jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Émile Aillaud
Pantin, Seine-Saint-Denis, 1954
13 of 24
![Fischli weiss peter fischli swiss born 1952 and david weiss swiss born 1946 . the three sisters. 1984](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5YBUHY3YlabtYuFFDaqTNG/3abf4e9ef6233254ac6a8c26c9e884e3/Fischli_Weiss__Peter_Fischli__Swiss__born_1952_and_David_Weiss__Swiss__born_1946_._The_Three_Sisters._1984.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Peter Fischli & David Weiss
The Three Sisters, 1984
14 of 24
![Franc ois xavier lalanne s whimsical 1970 sauterelle bar](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3763NzOu1Flgy77DG83UuR/a08c263fd9327eeb1796e27a9297f7b7/Franc__ois-Xavier_Lalanne___s_whimsical_1970____Sauterelle____Bar_.jpeg?w=1000&q=70)
François-Xavier Lalanne
“Sauterelle” Bar, 1970
15 of 24
![Gafas vintage raras museo de las gafas y anteojos de pari s](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1PglH1VN2thzspScHVYTUo/143de9aa4e9b9c3ca6af7579b37a159a/Gafas-vintage-raras-museo-de-las-gafas-y-anteojos-de-Pari__s.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Gafas
Vintage Eyewear
16 of 24
![Guinevere van seenus at miu miu ss 1996](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3WbDQHKMdp4uGu7M2qooB0/5babbe53e9c6bf037d004c0434ef036a/Guinevere_van_Seenus_at_Miu_Miu_SS_1996.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Miu Miu
Guinevere van Seenus, Spring/ Summer 1996
17 of 24
![Irving penn single oriental poppy 1968](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/pp9zK0irHMEQf8Vu7GcYn/ff239fac5d5a15a531bd1364082b4266/Irving_Penn__Single_Oriental_Poppy__1968.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Irving Penn
Single Oriental Poppy, 1968
18 of 24
![Isabellablow lobster](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7lLqM2M6Al6tiy6VBM2xog/44e7013fb9e6748808b12c7e9dcd148d/isabellablow_lobster.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Isabella Blow
Lobster Hat
19 of 24
![John wesley getting off the subway at st. tropez 1992](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1Lf9abbv77CgerBxhYTgkN/ac4c11b47f150d38e49460db5e6d8ff8/John_Wesley__Getting_off_the_subway_at_St._Tropez___1992.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
John Wesley
Getting off the subway at St. Tropez, 1992
20 of 24
![Kazumasa yamashita face house maison visage kyoto 1974](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4z1J3pxkWKehuDk4IaElmi/49625ced75f84b61cd01e5862545eb3f/Kazumasa_Yamashita__Face_House__Maison_Visage___Kyoto__1974.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Kazumasa Yamashita
Face House (Maison Visage), Kyoto, 1974
21 of 24
![Luis barraga n galvez house mexico city.](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/59E0G4CNXbMVzPDy7fPQVM/e68b42b635f4828dbe22597e37777693/Luis_Barraga__n___Galvez_House__Mexico_City..jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Luis Barragán
Galvez House, Mexico City
22 of 24
![Polyurethane houses in puglia by gaetano pesce](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1v0tt5kjzfeRLDNccy3w08/f1944ec205e34a8961fc1ef9de86a8f5/Polyurethane_Houses_in_Puglia_by_Gaetano_Pesce.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Gaetano Pesce
Polyurethane Houses in Puglia, Italy
23 of 24
![Thierry mugler ss 1999](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/CyLhoFOuEcFdQ3aLXV45T/910f13647453b229f27ac3cc83bd69fa/Thierry_Mugler_SS_1999.jpg?w=1000&q=70)