British luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen returned to London for the first time in 20 years to present their Spring / Summer 2022 collection.

However, the show took place in a unique setting with Chilean architect Smiljan Radić collaborating once again with the fashion label to create a giant transparent inflated bubble on the roof of an 11-story parking lot adjoining the historic Tobacco Dock. , a former tobacco warehouse in Wapping in London’s East End which has been transformed into a venue for major corporate and commercial events.

The collection, inspired by the weather, in particular the formation and colors of the clouds seen from studio Alexander McQueen, inspired the design of the transparent bubble dome. Radić worked with structural specialist ES Global and design agency Gainsbury & Whiting to fabricate and install the bubble on the roof of the car park building.

The cloud-shaped dome was created using transparent panel membranes supported by a network of steel tensile cables and attached to a circular base above a temporary plywood platform that was constructed to meet the sloping surface of the parking lot. Rows of chairs were placed in a circle with a series of stairs in the middle rising below the platform to bring the models onto the stage.

Multiple vents in the floor pumped air into the enclosed space to ensure the transparent bubble retains its inflated shape while air-locking revolving doors controlled the escaping air.

The transparent bubble has been designed for easy disassembly so that it can be reused for other events.

Image courtesy of Alexander McQueen