The Most Over-the-Top Fashion Show Invitations
From Maison Margiela's plastic televisions to Bottega Veneta's eccentric bunny gifts, some fashion week invites are just as glamorous as the shows themselves.
From New York to Paris, the Spring/Summer 2025 runways have been nothing short of spectacular.
Fashion month stands as the pinnacle of creative expression in the fashion world, showcasing unparalleled artistry in every facet of the industry. It's not just about the clothes on the runway—it's an immersive experience where every detail, from the venue to the lighting and even the invitations, is meticulously curated to captivate and inspire. For fashion houses, fashion month is a stage where imagination knows no bounds, and many go to extraordinary lengths to make their mark.
Take the invitations, for instance. These are no ordinary paper invites. Instead, they often become collectible works of art themselves, signaling the extravagance and theme of the show to come. Brands like Gucci and Bottega Veneta have turned the simple act of receiving an invitation into an event, sending out artistic trinkets or exclusive pieces that offer a glimpse into the creative direction of the season.
Below, L'OFFICIEL takes a look at some of the most iconic fashion show invitations.
Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2025
As Bottega Veneta embraced their inner child with their Spring/Summer 2025 collection, they made their invites just as childlike with bunny-accented gifts serving as their show invitations. At the show, guests would later find themselves sitting on animal stuffed bean bags.
Gucci Spring/Summer 2025
One of the most impressive invitations from Milan Fashion Week came courtesy of Gucci—a reissue of Enzo Mari's iconic 'Timor' perpetual calendar, elegantly rendered in the Italian brand's signature 'Ancora' oxblood red.
Alaïa Spring/Summer 2024
For its Spring/Summer 2024 show, Maison Alaïa invited guests to take a seat—literally. Attendees received their invitations in the form of a leather folding stool, with instructions that the chair would be their seat for the show.
Balenciaga Autumn/Winter 2022
Balenciaga gave their guests broken iPhones as invitations to the Maison's Autumn/Winter 2022 show. The phones came with a formal card as well, but what made them interesting is the inscribed Balenciaga logo on the back. This is the only broken iPhone we'd want in our possession.
Fendi Spring/Summer 2021
In case you thought designer labels were limited to fashion, Fendi created custom pasta as its Spring/Summer 2021 show invites. Showcasing the iconic Fendi logo, these pasta bags were too cute to eat, but a great piece to display in the kitchen.
Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2020
For Abloh's Autumn/Winter 2020 collection with Louis Vuitton, he sent his guests a clock that only went counterclockwise. Inscribed with the LV monogram instead of numbers, this clock was one of the best invitations of the season and doubles as a conversation piece of home decor.
Jacquemus Autumn/Winter 2019
There's nothing better than freshly baked bread, and Jacquemus blessed its guests with that exact gift. For the Autumn/Winter 2019 invitations, the brand sent guests a loaf of bread along with a formal paper invitation.
Gucci Autumn/Winter 2019
It seems Autumn/Winter 2019 was a major season for food-themed invitations. In an attempt to reduce paper waste, Gucci sent its guests an assortment of fruits and vegetables as a precursor to the runway show. Not only did guests get an invite to one of Milan Fashion Week's most anticipated shows, but they received free groceries as well. What more could you ask for?
Jil Sander Autumn/Winter 2019
Jil Sander's Autumn/Winter 2019 invitation played along with the food motifs seen that year. The invitations were tea towels that were embroidered with details of the collection.
Off-White Autumn/Winter 2017
When it comes to invitations, Abloh always came up with some of the best ideas. For the Autumn/Winter 2017 Off-White show, guests received an invitation they could wear. Coming in a clear plastic bag that read "TEMPERATURE," guests were given an orange t-shirt that served as their runway invite.
John Galliano Autumn/Winter 2009
For his Autumn/Winter 2009 collection, John Galliano sent out playing cards as invitations. Coming in a set of three, these cards featured different characters and gave off an old casino vibe.
Maison Margiela Autumn/Winter 2009
Maison Margiela sent its guests a 3D plastic television as an invitation for the brand's Autumn/Winter 2009 show. This TV fit perfectly with the House's minimal aesthetic and featured the iconic Margiela numbers on its face.
