Masha Popova has debuted her sophomore collection, titled “MONSTER,” as part of London Fashion Week SS24. But there was nothing scary about this collection — instead, showgoers were metaphorically transported to the interior of a monster truck, and just like the behmouth 4×4, this show was a gritty thrill ride.
The monster truck was more than just a metaphor for ride-or-die attitudes. Here, it directly informed Popova’s signature denim treatments, with its tire tracks driving all over floor-sweeping maxi skirts, and the splatters kicked up from its tires painting trousers in a haphazard manner. Those trousers, by the way, stole the show — some had cut-outs on the waist band, others were low-rise, and some pushed this even further by dropping at the rear, tapping into this season’s biggest trend, bumsters (per Olly Shinder, MOWALOLA, and Lee Alexander McQueen’s earlier works).
Popova’s denim was entrusted to the capable hands of ISKO, and all of her trademarks were there. Fraying, over-dyed, flocking, scratches, patches, the works. But what really brought it together was the denim’s influence on the rest of the collection. For example, tops also sported spiral motifs drawn from the tire track of the monster-truck-treated denim, while other jeans featured stars on them — the kind you’d find on good ‘ol American monsters.
Elsewhere, crushed velvet in burnt hues of red and green crafted more darting, and angular pieces, looking like hot metal (per the monster truck, once more). This switch up was welcomed, showing a side to Popova that’s grungy in one way, sophisticated in others.
All this was complemented by hardcore metal jewellery, whip-leather belts, and hoof-like boots. If this is her second collection, we cannot wait to see what’s next.
Take a look at Masha Popova’s SS24 “MONSTER” collection above. More London Fashion Week content can be found across Culted online, on Instagram, and on TikTok.
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