When Nicolas Ghesquière transformed models into androids for Balenciaga’s catwalk, he was right in line with Roddenberry’s ethos. Shiny silver, synthetic textures and sleek accents are part of the look, but real futurism involves a break from protocol, one that pushes things beyond the accepted and on occasion uses art to comment on society. Star Trek’s optimistic vision of the future is a visual language big on streamlined shapes, primary colors and metallic accents, and it’s an invitation to rethink what qualifies as 'modern' in the first place.
When designers reference Star Trek intentionally, or as a result of the franchise’s cultural omnipresence, they aren’t just citing specific episodes and putting their spin on the looks they’re tapping into something bigger.
