Fashion and technology have been in collaboration since the latter’s very beginning. From the sewing machine to the FitBit, e-commerce to smart fabrics and lab-grown leather, technology improves how we make fashion and expands the limits of what society believes fashion to be.
Leave it to Marc Jacobs to take this pattern and run with it. Case in point, the designer’s Spring/Summer 2015 runway show, for which audience members were equipped with Beats by Dre headphones, giving each individual onlooker their own immersive, personal experience. Through the headphones played a monotone voice narrating an everyday scene while background sounds added support to the picture. The audio, made by Jacobs and producer Steve Mackey, was based on John Smith’s 1976 short film, The Girl Chewing Gum. Fittingly, the set was bubblegum pink, with pink shag carpet and a pink house commissioned for the show. There is a cheeky connection between the set and the audio, but neither prepared audience members for the contents of the show to come.
In contrast to the show’s vibrant set, the collection employed a primarily muted color pallet, favoring nudes, camels, deep blues, and army greens. Inspired by uniforms and the modernist notion of collective uniformity, each model walked the runway sans make-up, and wearing identically un-kept, shaggy black bobs. Military, too, was a clear source of inspiration: military jackets, cinched grandma dresses, and cargo pants all detailed with large pockets and shiny buttons.
Silhouettes ranged from sporty to conservative, and flirty to shy schoolgirl modesty, with accessories to match; from utility messenger bags and backpacks, to sleek, ladylike alligator purses. Slip-on sandals were prominent throughout the collection, as was an underlying story of personalization, hidden within details that became more prominent as the show went on – eyelets became pronounced bumps, varying in size and forming intricate patterns, pockets got bigger and bolder, and patches in varying colors were added to hemlines.
There was a clear message in Jacobs’ spring/summer 2015 show about fashion as a form of personalization and its otherwise rejection of uniformity. In making the collection’s ensembles increasingly unique as the show progressed, Jacobs subverts the intention of the uniform — anonymity. Nonetheless, the season’s “feminine utility” aesthetic remains incredibly wearable and equally desirable.
![Marc jacobs ss 2015 muse board final](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1R1DAhVVLWXH99SyX6SYMM/c67038b5f10abf632b90e557bd3de2ff/Marc_Jacobs_SS_2015_Muse_Board_FINAL.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
References
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Richard Hamilton
Just what was it that made today’s homes so different, so appealing?, 1956
![Richard hamilton just what was it that made today s homes so different so appealing 1956](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6Fj9rBl6ibUwoI9qF51p3u/55215be0b18328573eb02555f8e24584/richard-hamilton__Just_what_was_it_that_made_today___s_homes_so_different__so_appealing___1956.jpg)
Ettore Sottsass
Mobile Giallo Cabinet, 1988
Martin Kippenberger
Untitled, 1989
![Martin kippenberger untitled 1989](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7jG7zfoT76VZhcgZyyA5sU/892dfc03add202b2f14b9b51498c4554/Martin_Kippenberger_Untitled_1989.jpg)
Frank Lloyd Wright
Desk Chair, 1936-37
![Frank lloyd wright desk chair 1936 37](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/PSsnM3NUz2iQtlpGsGzRK/e5e39d26f4d4e92951b134432f2f2287/Frank_Lloyd_Wright__Desk_Chair__1936-37.jpg)
Guy Bourdin
French Vogue, 1970
![Guy bourdin 15 x marc jacobs ss 2015](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3Q4Yg1UZlTimrdVCz6uoVO/68339212c45667a66b7d037f22c2e792/guy_bourdin-15_x_Marc_Jacobs_SS_2015.jpeg)
R. Buckminster Fuller
Fly’s Eye Dome, 1961, fabricated ca. 1980
![R. buckminster fuller fly s eye dome 1961 fabricated ca. 1980](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5XuFFtrgOXMKXJAuSkiZiT/23c9a7098792bdc2b4b072d11d27813a/R._Buckminster_Fuller__Fly___s_Eye_Dome__1961__fabricated_ca._1980.jpg)
Carole Itter
Chicken Box #3, 1974
![Carole itter chicken box 3 1974](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2EmFdv2Ryd9iP8SaO8nOUx/3cacaf5329c4609733655bce3b379768/Carole_Itter__Chicken_Box__3__1974.jpeg)
Christian Dior by Marc Bohan
Cocktail Dress, Fall/Winter 1969
![Scannable document on jun 23 2019 at 4 42 55 pm](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6wEYFDawni0W4M3RxUAYay/4b2ac847c8eecb357ba9d84c4c8f9f35/Scannable_Document_on_Jun_23__2019_at_4_42_55_PM.jpg)
Alighiero Boetti
Untitled (Venticinque per venticinque), 1989
![Alighiero boetti untitled venticinque per venticinque 1989](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5zxn7dj3bjzDKp2ETW1ejV/ce0bfcd468e98f9ac45104bdaa9d0c3c/Alighiero_Boetti__Untitled__Venticinque_per_venticinque___1989.jpg)
Peter Knapp
Emanuel Ungaro Dress, Stern Magazine, 1967
![Peter knapp emanuel ungaro dress stern magazine 1967](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2fzWxCQDKmBjQVuclwhce1/9f061cd73fcd6e7e97e95196bd7f3687/Peter_Knapp__Emanuel_Ungaro_Dress__Stern_Magazine__1967.jpg)
Bruno Munari
Cockpit Habitable Structure, 1971
![Bruno munari cockpit habitable structure 1971](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/Pl9RredMLempOzBLT93WF/c1088f77db682ed8d997402e0f606305/Bruno_Munari__Cockpit_Habitable_Structure__1971.jpg)
Carles Riart
Desnuda Chair, 1973
![Carles riart desnuda chair 1973](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5splNRalkMXAIEOTaxVTS3/e1c8a0120bcebbf344ad44d50b8edace/Carles_Riart_Desnuda_Chair__1973.jpg)
Gabriel Orozco
La DS Cornaline, 2013
Man Ray
Glass Tears, 1932
![Glass tears 1932 man ray](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3nvmm4kCxEdMYceVR3ugGy/52d5691753cd35f07708495a1c4a20ea/Glass_tears__1932_-_Man_Ray.jpg)
Hans Coray
Landi Chair, 1938
![Hans coray landi chair 1938](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3W2LBvoc7Reea0R5GVjNEY/81db4945f5dcf465a49139b24c55582a/Hans_Coray__Landi_Chair__1938.jpg)
Jiro Takamatsu
Mystery Cans (also known as Shelter Plan, HRC Hi Red Cans), 1964
![Hi red center. mystery cans also known as shelter plan hrc hi red cans . 1964](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/31M1s7W0jCrDLk6zJNZP3G/9074d5553c9c136a1cc5417031eaa5a4/Hi_Red_Center._Mystery_Cans__also_known_as_Shelter_Plan__HRC_Hi_Red_Cans_._1964.jpg)
Joe Colombo
Mini Kitchen, 1963
![Joe colombo mini kitchen 1963](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7Ezs2YVDSgtELi7tEXqIcx/3e0010111262815aa07a6b2b6429ad6c/Joe_Colombo__Mini_Kitchen__1963.jpg)
Mario Botta
Casa Montagnola, 1989-1994
![Mario botta casa montagnola 1989 1994](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4sbOxmzhlDpiOFmMEbVKE6/307888847195df40ea3daf209c471036/Mario_Botta__Casa_Montagnola__1989-1994.jpg)
Frank Lloyd Wright
S.C. Johnson and Son Administration Building Desk, 1938
![Rare desk pictured and chair from the s.c. johnson and son administration building 1938](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6I4cYqEfaigUwAa0Yuk1gk/0904d4f5562a59f1fb9fd759476c2de9/rare_desk__pictured__and_chair_from_the_S.C._Johnson_and_Son_Administration_Building__1938.jpg)
Robert Venturi & Denise Scott Brown
George Wislocki House, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, 1971
![Robert venturi denise scott brown george wislocki house nantucket island massachusetts usa 1971](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/13R5tesO1IzeWVtiaq2eAT/c787a1a6c119c7556faa894905412d33/Robert_Venturi___Denise_Scott_Brown_____George_Wislocki_House_____Nantucket_Island__Massachusetts__USA_____1971.jpg)
Anna Castelli Ferrieri for Kartell
The Componibili modular container system, 1967
![The componibili modular container system designed by anna castelli ferrieri for kartell in 1967 square](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2FnHERug5GCqXhBNOmNMWf/6a445f5a0a79804ed1824c99662d6c8a/The_Componibili_modular_container_system_designed_by_Anna_Castelli_Ferrieri_for_Kartell_in_1967__square.jpeg)
References
![Richard hamilton just what was it that made today s homes so different so appealing 1956](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6Fj9rBl6ibUwoI9qF51p3u/55215be0b18328573eb02555f8e24584/richard-hamilton__Just_what_was_it_that_made_today___s_homes_so_different__so_appealing___1956.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Richard Hamilton
Just what was it that made today’s homes so different, so appealing?, 1956
1 of 21
Ettore Sottsass
Mobile Giallo Cabinet, 1988
2 of 21
![Martin kippenberger untitled 1989](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7jG7zfoT76VZhcgZyyA5sU/892dfc03add202b2f14b9b51498c4554/Martin_Kippenberger_Untitled_1989.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Martin Kippenberger
Untitled, 1989
3 of 21
![Frank lloyd wright desk chair 1936 37](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/PSsnM3NUz2iQtlpGsGzRK/e5e39d26f4d4e92951b134432f2f2287/Frank_Lloyd_Wright__Desk_Chair__1936-37.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Frank Lloyd Wright
Desk Chair, 1936-37
4 of 21
![Guy bourdin 15 x marc jacobs ss 2015](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3Q4Yg1UZlTimrdVCz6uoVO/68339212c45667a66b7d037f22c2e792/guy_bourdin-15_x_Marc_Jacobs_SS_2015.jpeg?w=1000&q=70)
Guy Bourdin
French Vogue, 1970
5 of 21
![R. buckminster fuller fly s eye dome 1961 fabricated ca. 1980](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5XuFFtrgOXMKXJAuSkiZiT/23c9a7098792bdc2b4b072d11d27813a/R._Buckminster_Fuller__Fly___s_Eye_Dome__1961__fabricated_ca._1980.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
R. Buckminster Fuller
Fly’s Eye Dome, 1961, fabricated ca. 1980
6 of 21
![Carole itter chicken box 3 1974](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2EmFdv2Ryd9iP8SaO8nOUx/3cacaf5329c4609733655bce3b379768/Carole_Itter__Chicken_Box__3__1974.jpeg?w=1000&q=70)
Carole Itter
Chicken Box #3, 1974
7 of 21
![Scannable document on jun 23 2019 at 4 42 55 pm](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6wEYFDawni0W4M3RxUAYay/4b2ac847c8eecb357ba9d84c4c8f9f35/Scannable_Document_on_Jun_23__2019_at_4_42_55_PM.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Christian Dior by Marc Bohan
Cocktail Dress, Fall/Winter 1969
8 of 21
![Alighiero boetti untitled venticinque per venticinque 1989](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5zxn7dj3bjzDKp2ETW1ejV/ce0bfcd468e98f9ac45104bdaa9d0c3c/Alighiero_Boetti__Untitled__Venticinque_per_venticinque___1989.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Alighiero Boetti
Untitled (Venticinque per venticinque), 1989
9 of 21
![Peter knapp emanuel ungaro dress stern magazine 1967](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2fzWxCQDKmBjQVuclwhce1/9f061cd73fcd6e7e97e95196bd7f3687/Peter_Knapp__Emanuel_Ungaro_Dress__Stern_Magazine__1967.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Peter Knapp
Emanuel Ungaro Dress, Stern Magazine, 1967
10 of 21
![Bruno munari cockpit habitable structure 1971](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/Pl9RredMLempOzBLT93WF/c1088f77db682ed8d997402e0f606305/Bruno_Munari__Cockpit_Habitable_Structure__1971.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Bruno Munari
Cockpit Habitable Structure, 1971
11 of 21
![Carles riart desnuda chair 1973](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5splNRalkMXAIEOTaxVTS3/e1c8a0120bcebbf344ad44d50b8edace/Carles_Riart_Desnuda_Chair__1973.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Carles Riart
Desnuda Chair, 1973
12 of 21
Gabriel Orozco
La DS Cornaline, 2013
13 of 21
![Glass tears 1932 man ray](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3nvmm4kCxEdMYceVR3ugGy/52d5691753cd35f07708495a1c4a20ea/Glass_tears__1932_-_Man_Ray.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Man Ray
Glass Tears, 1932
14 of 21
![Hans coray landi chair 1938](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3W2LBvoc7Reea0R5GVjNEY/81db4945f5dcf465a49139b24c55582a/Hans_Coray__Landi_Chair__1938.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Hans Coray
Landi Chair, 1938
15 of 21
![Hi red center. mystery cans also known as shelter plan hrc hi red cans . 1964](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/31M1s7W0jCrDLk6zJNZP3G/9074d5553c9c136a1cc5417031eaa5a4/Hi_Red_Center._Mystery_Cans__also_known_as_Shelter_Plan__HRC_Hi_Red_Cans_._1964.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jiro Takamatsu
Mystery Cans (also known as Shelter Plan, HRC Hi Red Cans), 1964
16 of 21
![Joe colombo mini kitchen 1963](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7Ezs2YVDSgtELi7tEXqIcx/3e0010111262815aa07a6b2b6429ad6c/Joe_Colombo__Mini_Kitchen__1963.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Joe Colombo
Mini Kitchen, 1963
17 of 21
![Mario botta casa montagnola 1989 1994](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4sbOxmzhlDpiOFmMEbVKE6/307888847195df40ea3daf209c471036/Mario_Botta__Casa_Montagnola__1989-1994.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Mario Botta
Casa Montagnola, 1989-1994
18 of 21
![Rare desk pictured and chair from the s.c. johnson and son administration building 1938](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6I4cYqEfaigUwAa0Yuk1gk/0904d4f5562a59f1fb9fd759476c2de9/rare_desk__pictured__and_chair_from_the_S.C._Johnson_and_Son_Administration_Building__1938.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Frank Lloyd Wright
S.C. Johnson and Son Administration Building Desk, 1938
19 of 21
![Robert venturi denise scott brown george wislocki house nantucket island massachusetts usa 1971](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/13R5tesO1IzeWVtiaq2eAT/c787a1a6c119c7556faa894905412d33/Robert_Venturi___Denise_Scott_Brown_____George_Wislocki_House_____Nantucket_Island__Massachusetts__USA_____1971.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Robert Venturi & Denise Scott Brown
George Wislocki House, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, 1971
20 of 21
![The componibili modular container system designed by anna castelli ferrieri for kartell in 1967 square](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2FnHERug5GCqXhBNOmNMWf/6a445f5a0a79804ed1824c99662d6c8a/The_Componibili_modular_container_system_designed_by_Anna_Castelli_Ferrieri_for_Kartell_in_1967__square.jpeg?w=1000&q=70)