The steampunk style of dystopian zombie-apocalypse worlds has met its match. And this is all thanks to designer Irene Luft, who launched a spectacular spring/summer 2014 collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
Her fifth foray into the event may be her most intriguing yet, as she mixed couture with industrial elements, such as plastic and gas masks.
 A delicate see-through lace dress combined with a gas mask covered in the same material (Credit: Michael Huebner / Sebastian Gabsch / Future Image / WENN)
A delicate see-through lace dress combined with a gas mask covered in the same material (Credit: Michael Huebner / Sebastian Gabsch / Future Image / WENN)
 A transparent dress with folded fabric rosettes forming a gorgeous sash (Credit: Michael Huebner / Sebastian Gabsch / Future Image / WENN)
A transparent dress with folded fabric rosettes forming a gorgeous sash (Credit: Michael Huebner / Sebastian Gabsch / Future Image / WENN)
The colors in this collection are muted: white, beige, brown, and occasional gold, whittled down by a gorgeously hollow architectural design.
Luft’s signature luxe style is evident in the geometric puffs of fabric or intricate armoire-type lace that form deconstructed dresses.
These elements climb even higher to enclose the model’s head (see the outfits with gas masks). Backstage changing must be an exciting story!


The breathing apparatus is definitely the show-stopping element in Luft’s collection. It serves as a canvas for her exquisite technique and gives an unexpected eerie feel to the show.

Perhaps this collection also shows Luft’s ethical stance on sustainable fashion. She set up a couture factory in Plauen, which upholds socially responsible practices.
We can only guess. More than that, this obviously demonstrates to us Luft’s view of next year’s spring/summer clothes — revealing, intricate, and neutral.


Trivia: Irene Luft attended the German Master Craftsmen School for Fashion and graduated from Munich’s Akademie für Mode & Design.
