Dear Shaded Viewers,
If fashion’s a circus, then Colm Dillane, aka KidSuper, is the ringleader with a flair for the dramatic. In his latest Parisian escapade, Dillane partnered with Cirque du Soleil to create a runway show that was less about fashion and more about a grand spectacle. And what a spectacle it was.
Under the big top of his “IT’S ALL UP IN THE AIR” Spring/Summer 2025 show, Dillane blurred the lines between fashion and performance art. With Cirque du Soleil in tow, this was not just a collection, but a circus act, a puppet show, and a sartorial narrative rolled into one. Dillane’s shows have always been proof of concept platforms—a Trojan Horse of creativity, as he calls them—but this time, he took it to another level.
The show kicked off with Cirque acrobat Mai Yamashi, who, under a giant prop hand, became a living puppet in a stop-motion illusion of light and movement. Alton Mason followed in a suit emblazoned with a battered puppet print, manipulated by strings attached to a massive hand—a visual metaphor for Dillane’s exploration of control and autonomy.
The parade of models was a medley of circus archetypes: tailors in mannequin prints, acrobats in contorted poses, streetwear enthusiasts in crystal-studded jeans and varsity jackets, and even a stilt walker in hand-painted pants. There was whimsy and weirdness aplenty—a velvet dress with a wind-up key, a headless man in a confetti coat, and a juggler’s hands embroidered on a suit.
Dillane’s narrative wove through every look, emphasizing interconnectedness and the unseen forces that guide our lives. The theme of strings and puppetry challenged the audience to ponder who pulls the strings in their lives, both literally and metaphorically.
The KidSuper collection stayed true to its roots with vibrant art, bold colors, and eclectic prints, but with a twist. This season introduced leather and patchwork, baggier silhouettes, and jacquard fabrics, breathing new life into the early 2000s cropped styles. The co-branded KidSuper and Cirque du Soleil capsule was the cherry on top.
The finale was a tour de force of acrobatics, climaxing with the ringmaster himself, Dillane, being hoisted skyward in triumph. Guests like Jared Leto and Westside Gunn looked on, enthralled by the sheer audacity of it all.
Colm Dillane thrives on chaos, improvisation, and the infectious energy of his surroundings. Whether he’s fielding ideas from his team or adjusting on the fly, Dillane is the embodiment of crowdsourced creativity. His rise from NYU dorm-room T-shirt salesman to fashion maven is a testament to moxie, drive, and a relentless pursuit of artistic vision.
In the end, Dillane’s KidSuper isn’t just a brand; it’s a universe where fashion, art, and performance collide, creating an unforgettable experience. As the show title suggested, everything may be “up in the air,” but with Dillane at the helm, it’s a thrilling ride.
Later,
Leticia
