Marine Serre has never been afraid to voice her opinion on our country’s treatment of the environment, but her SS 2020 show took on a post-apocalyptic world. Serre named the collection, “Marée Noire,” meaning “black tide,” in French. The tone was set for the audience by telling them to, “Imagine… By hiding in caves and shelters deep underground, small but illustrious groups have survived the Apocalypse – the climate wars, the heatwaves, mass extinction.”

Each piece has a deep back story into which Serre has separated into five distinct communities. The colors in the collection are all tied together to explain a world destroyed by climate change. The chic black pieces were shown first to symbolize, “rebellion, radicalism, and autonomy – but also maturity, simplicity, abstinence,” consisted of leather dresses, oily raincoats, and satin looks. A second community adapts from these pieces, which are made of beautiful fluid reds and natural brown tones.

The third was inspired by, “repelling all ways of the old establishment, and their outdated nature-culture divide, aiming for deep spiritualist bonds across the entities.” These looks consist of former nightgowns, multi-layered dresses, and even bedsheets! The fourth community of looks plays on the fact that the world has gotten so hot that their suits are made of towels.

The fifth and final, Marée Noire SS20, completes the story, having an “amphebian queen,” emerge into this new civilization.

The concept is both riveting and gorgeous while also a frightening reminder of how fast fashion hurts our climate. Serre put her voice into each and every outfit that hit the runway, and it’s a stunning and bold statement.