The global pandemic that cancelled most in-person events left many designers struggling to imagine how their collection could be presented online. For Colleen Allen, a digital realm was the ideal medium to illustrate her work.

The Central Saint Martins graduate made her New York Fashion Week debut with a masterful CGI runway show, where original clothing, models – and even the location – were digitally developed and rendered into animated content.

First came the collection of physical garments, comprised of sharply tailored suits altered with latex detailing, repurposed backpacks, and commonplace textiles. Inspired by a conspiracy theory known as the ‘Reptilian Elite,’ and by deconstructing the power that the business suit holds, Allen’s work is an examination of government structures and corporate institutions that govern us.

By placing her designs in a virtual world – imaginary, but with a haunting realism – the robotic characters reflect this sense of intrinsic paranoia that goes along with existing in this world.

Allen’s work bridges the gap between fashion and technology, showing she will be a rising force operating outside of the traditional fashion system and experience.