The immersive runway show incorporated holographic images of the female animals featured in the series, alongside women and gender non-conforming models.Photo: Kristina Bumphrey/PictureGroup for National GeographicNEW YORK—National Geographic made its debut at New York Fashion Week in front of 200-plus industry influencers, celebrities, fashion tastemakers, and media with its immersive fashion show, Nat Geo Presents: ‘Fit for a Queen, on Feb. 10 at Moonlight Studios.
Celebrating the network’s female-led docu-series QUEENS, which premieres March 4 on Nat Geo and March 5 on Disney+ and Hulu, the immersive runway show incorporated holographic images of the female animals featured in the series, alongside women and gender non-conforming models.
But why would a nature channel want to present a show during New York Fashion Week? “What better place to give a nod to queendom and celebrate our contribution to the movement of unstoppable women and powerful female matriarchs?” said Chris Albert, National Geographic’s executive VP of marketing and communications.
“To spike intrigue, shift the narrative, and ignite new interest in Nat Geo with diverse audiences—especially women—there is no place like NYFW that bridges the intersection of pop culture, tastemakers, and influential media,” he explained. “With Nat Geo Presents: ‘Fit for a Queen, the event was not just about fashion, it was about Nat Geo making a statement at pop culture’s most epic, influential event week by presenting a fashion show with a Nat Geo twist—connecting both the world of fashion and the natural world.”
Lori Hall, co-founder and head of creative at Pop’N Creative, the multicultural marketing agency tasked with producing the event, said her team pitched the idea of having life-size, lifelike holograms of the female animal matriarchs from the series walking alongside human models to personify the parallels between the series and fashion, highlighting “the powerful females driving change by being at the forefront of male-dominated industries: nature documentary filmmaking and fashion.”
To bring the vision to life, Pop’N Creative worked with its hologram production partners at PRG and The Eisley Company. “We were very successful in achieving the shock and awe from the audience when the animals leaped, prowled, and roared across the stage. It was very 4D,” Hall said. She added that, during dress rehearsal, the filmmakers mentioned how much the holograms and animal sounds felt lifelike compared to what they see in the animal kingdom. “Their astonishment and praise confirmed that we had achieved something unprecedented in the fashion world.”
Sakinah Bashir curated and styled the fashion show, which showcased bold patterns and sculptural silhouettes inspired by the animal kingdom that were crafted by designers JêBlanc, Sergio Hudson, Bohn Jsell, anOnlyChild, Head of State, Theophilio, Studio 189, Bed on Water, Almasika, and L’Enchanteur. Footwear looks were curated by designer Téjahn Burnet.
Brooklyn-based “plantfluencer” Plant Kween opened the show as “Mother Nature,” introducing guests to the experience, which was presented in three acts, each featuring a hologram of a female animal—a lioness, a brown bear, and an elephant—from an episode. Plus, Sophie Darlington, a wildlife cinematographer who worked on the series, was featured as a model.
In addition to the fashion show, Nat Geo also hosted a “yellow carpet” premiere for the series, which was called “The Queens Ball,” on Feb. 8 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. At the event, the 1,200 attendees were treated to a special video message from former Senator Hillary Clinton, a musical performance by composer Morgan Kibby, a screening of the episode “African Queens,” and the world premiere of the music video to the show’s title track, “Umi,” by performer Alewya. It was followed by a themed reception filled with dramatic animal topiaries.
Albert said that QUEENS will continue to have a presence at SXSW, the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF), the NEWF Congress, and Royal Television Society’s Wildscreen Film Festival, as well as a bespoke intimate press screening in London.
Keep scrolling to see key vendors and more from Nat Geo Presents: ‘Fit for a Queen…
VENDORS
AV and Venue: Sound Investment
Catering: Pinch Food Design
Choreography: Raymond Pinto
Event Production: Pop’N Creative
Fabricators: Studio Guereux
Fashion Show Production: TBHNN
Florals: Hanato Floral Design Studio
Holograms: PRG (Production Resource Group)
VFX: The Eisley Company