Paris Fashion Week was abuzz with chatter this season, thanks to the daring and unconventional showcase by Dutch designer Duran Lantink. The Palais de Tokyo room witnessed the debut of Lantink’s fall 2025 collection dubbed “Duranimal”, a spectacle that left attendees and online viewers in awe.
Lantink’s collection was a fusion of bold animal prints and eye-catching silhouettes, but what truly stole the show was a piece that redefined boundaries. A male model, Chandler Frye, strutted down the runway in a tank top that mimicked a woman’s bare chest, complete with realistic-looking size DD prosthetic breasts. The daring display was not only a sartorial statement but a bold artistic interpretation that pushed the boundaries of conventional fashion.
The controversial piece, resembling a woman’s torso, became the talk of the town, eliciting a mix of shock, amusement, and debate among fashion enthusiasts. Chandler Frye’s confident stride in the crop top, nearly indistinguishable from his skin tone, gave the illusion of toplessness, showcasing a pair of bouncing large breasts. The provocative design challenged societal norms and sparked conversations around gender, representation, and the boundaries of fashion.
In a clever twist, Lantink also showcased a women’s shirt designed to resemble a man’s muscular chest, worn by female model Mica Argañaraz. The juxtaposition of these gender-bending tops added a layer of complexity to the collection, blurring the lines between masculinity and femininity, challenging stereotypes, and celebrating diversity.
The runway show was a visual spectacle, set against the backdrop of an office floor, with models weaving through a maze of cubicles filled with headset-wearing workers engrossed in mundane tasks. The juxtaposition of the mundane office setting with the avant-garde fashion pieces created a surreal and thought-provoking atmosphere, captivating the audience and sparking a range of emotions.
Fashion director of Elle Magazine, Alex White, humorously quipped, “D cup envy,” in response to the controversial top, highlighting the playful and provocative nature of Lantink’s designs. However, not everyone shared the same sentiment, with some viewers expressing disapproval and concerns about objectification and the portrayal of women’s bodies as costumes.
Amidst the swirling debate and mixed reactions, Lantink defended his creative choices, emphasizing the artistic freedom and intention behind his designs. In an interview with Women’s Wear Daily, the award-winning designer explained, “It’s about cosplay, it’s playing with bad taste, it’s about form. Every season, we’re trying to sort of surprise ourselves with how we can change an original piece into something that we find interesting.”
Lantink’s unconventional approach to fashion, characterized by bold volumes, unexpected silhouettes, and a penchant for pushing boundaries, was on full display in Paris. The designer’s fearless creativity and unapologetic stance reflect a broader shift in the fashion industry towards inclusivity, diversity, and artistic expression.
As the dust settles on Paris Fashion Week, Lantink’s “Duranimal” collection remains a testament to the power of fashion as a form of artistic expression, challenging norms, sparking conversations, and pushing the boundaries of creativity. In a world where conformity often reigns supreme, Lantink’s avant-garde designs serve as a reminder of the transformative and boundary-pushing nature of fashion.
