Surprise at the fashion show of the Coperni label in Paris: Instead of wearing a designer dress, model Bella Hadid only steps on the catwalk in a thong – and is then dressed with a spray bottle. This is made possible by a special liquid textile that solidifies on the skin.
It’s not ready-made fashion: at the Coperni label’s fashion show in Paris on Friday evening, there was a lesson in textile innovation. Supermodel Bella Hadid had a dress sprayed on her bare skin live in front of the audience – using a liquid that solidified on the 25-year-old’s body within minutes. With just a few movements, the jersey-like fabric was transformed into a tight-fitting, off-the-shoulder dress while still on the catwalk.
The spray technique was developed by Fabrican, a company founded by Spanish fashion designer and scientist Manel Torres. Fabrican Liquid contains cotton or synthetic fibers dissolved in a polymer solution. This solution evaporates when it comes into contact with the skin – and what remains is a thin layer of fabric that does not need any seams. After wearing, it can be taken off and turned back into a solution. According to the manufacturer, the liquid can be reused.
Coperni and Torres spent six months working on Hadid’s off-the-shoulder dress at London’s Bioscience Innovation Center, reports Vogue Business. “It is our duty as designers to try new things and to show a possible future,” said Coperni co-founder Sébastien Meyer – although he admits that the concept of the spray dress is not suitable for the masses. “We won’t make any money from it, but it’s a beautiful moment – an experience that stirs emotions.”
According to the Coperni founders, they are fascinated by technology – “and by Apple”, as Meyer admitted last year when the spring/summer 2022 collection was presented. At that time, the label caused a sensation because it also brought the daughter of Apple founder Steve Jobs onto the catwalk. Eve Jobs has wanted to make a career as a model for a long time, but her breakthrough has been a long time coming.
