Dutch designer Duran Lantink’s Fall-Winter 2025 show at Paris Fashion Week was a striking blend of fashion and prosthetics that captivated audiences with its bold commentary on identity and transformation. Held in an office space reminiscent of the sci-fi thriller “Severance,” the collection showcased warped silhouettes and unconventional pieces, such as zany animal prints and butt-revealing jeans. However, it was the use of prosthetics that truly stole the spotlight.
Two prosthetic torsos stood out: one featured a six-pack on model Mica Argañaraz, while the other, worn by Chandler Frye, showcased large, bouncing breasts. These eye-catching designs quickly went viral on social media, with people debating whether the display celebrated gender-fluidity or ridiculed femininity. For Lantink, the intention was clear — he sought to challenge perceptions of the human body, drawing inspiration from the idea of women as action figures.
Lantink’s use of prosthetics aligns with a broader trend in fashion, where designers are increasingly using implants, masks, and 3D makeup techniques to push boundaries. Labels like Martine Rose, Collina Strada, and Balenciaga have incorporated prosthetics to transform models into surreal figures, from animals to cyborgs. Prosthetics have also gained prominence in art and entertainment, with makeup artists and designers using them to create striking looks for performers, including Doja Cat and Sabrina Carpenter.
In fashion, prosthetics often serve as a vehicle for commentary on beauty norms and identity. Designers use them not only to challenge traditional concepts of beauty but also to create bold, viral moments that captivate audiences. The use of prosthetics in fashion has evolved beyond aesthetics, with some designers, like Hillary Taymour of Collina Strada, using them as a canvas for artistic expression. Prosthetics allow for the complete reimagining of the human form, a sentiment echoed by makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench, who has used them to transform models into fantastical creatures for top fashion houses.
Despite their visual appeal, prosthetics in fashion remain largely symbolic, meant to provoke thought and challenge cultural norms. As fashion continues to embrace prosthetics, designers and artists are pushing the limits of what the human body can represent, exploring both fantasy and the future of wearable art.
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