(9 Feb 2020) BRANDON MAXWELL DREW INSPIRATION FOR LATEST COLLECTION FROM VENUE
There's always a crowd at a Brandon Maxwell fashion show, but the audience on Saturday (8 FEB 2020) included more than the usual human fashionistas: A majestic gathering of Alaskan moose, bison, brown bears, Bighorn sheep and caribou were also enjoying the show at the American Museum of Natural History.
Maxwell said backstage that he'd wanted for years to do a runway show at the iconic Manhattan institution, and had asked many times. Then museum officials came to him four months ago, asking if he'd contribute to an upcoming exhibition, "The Nature of Color." He decided that would be a perfect time to ask if he stage a show there, and they immediately agreed.
"Yes, I wanted to be in the venue since day one. I asked many times. The museum came to me about four months ago asking if I would be apart of their exhibition and I thought that was the perfect time if I could have a show. So I went to the meeting by myself, no team, and we sat down and I said, 'Thank you so much for having me, very thrilled to be a part, this is my dream venue, would you guys let me have a show here?'  And they said, 'Yes' immediately and I was like 'Well, who has been lying to me for four years?' It formed everything to be here it is a place where like they are preserving mammals that were going extinct and I don't know, isn't that poetic at this time?" Maxwell explained backstage after his show.
Maxwell's runway snaked through the Hall of North American Mammals, past the hall's 43 dioramas representing dozens of species. The grand finale was the dress Maxwell had made specially for the upcoming exhibit: A fiery red, diaphanous, flowing gown, with a bow around the neck.
That gown was well suited to the Oscars' red carpet, as were a number of other flowing creations, including a few in a glamorous citrus green color. But Maxwell declined with a smile to answer whether one of his designs would find its way to Sunday's ceremony in Los Angeles.
"Uh no, the only information I have for you about the Oscars is that my mom brought a griddle and she will be cooking and that is all I have to tell you," Maxwell joked.
Saturday evening's show had an almost a raucous atmosphere, perhaps partly because cocktails were served beforehand in the museum lobby. The models were routinely cheered as they strutted down the runway. The enthusiasm brought smiles to the faces of many of the models, who were unable to maintain their requisite eyes-straight-ahead, serious-model expressions.
One of the top attractions on the runway was Bella Hadid, who wore two looks. The first, a sparkly, black bra top, satin blazer and silver slacks. Next, a drop-waist black, ball gown skirt with a black cut-out crop top and a black beanie on her head.
Asked how the unusual animal presence had influenced this collection, Maxwell replied: "I grew up in east Texas, don't forget it. Out here in nature, in front of all these animals, this is my home! I mean, not THOSE animals." He added that "My Mom bawled crying when she walked in. She said, 'This is the space for you.' I hope it was. I'm happy."
Asked his favorite animal in the Hall of Mammals, he said "the bear of course," and imitated a bear growling and clawing at the air. "To me, that's what you try to do in Fashion Week, come with a bit of power and force," he said. "For eight minutes."

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