"Green is out, black and brown are in," declared famed designer Francesca Buglioni, as a flock of fashion-forward locusts dominated Milan's fashion scene last week. Inspired by a phenomenon which sees green solitary locusts transform into black-brown gregarious locusts as population density increases, the insect invasion has set the catwalks buzzing as their distinct body coloration brings a whole new perspective to patterns and textures.
Scientific research explains that the trés chic transformation, dubbed as 'locust luxe' in fashion circles, is attributed to the insects' spatially differential regulation of ATF2 phosphorylation, a biological process that facilitates recognition of conspecifics through distinct body coloration."Each locust is really just a living, breathing mood ring," said Buglioni, drawing parallels between the locust transformation and fashion's perennial quest for the new and the now.
Statistics from Milan Fashion Week show an unprecedented 300% increase in black and brown ensemble premieres, inspired by gregarious locusts' warning coloration. The 'Locust Couture' phenomenon has clearly left a mark as designers are scrambling to include textured patterns and iridescent influences in their upcoming collections.
However, not everyone appreciates the insect-inspired trend. Vittoria Zucchero, editor of 'L'Insetto', Milan's leading insect-focussed fashion publication, expressed mixed feelings. "I understand the appeal of the new. But when you have Buglioni trying to replicate the antennae aesthetic with faux-locust headbands, it's bewildering."
'Locust Luxe' is expected to trickle down to the high street next season. As we wait with bated breath to see just how the retail industry takes to this trend, never forget how these fashion-forward locusts became the unexpected toast of Milan's fashion scene.
Based on: Gregarious locusts wear contrasting black-brown 'clothes' to warn predators