The Aliens Are Coming! No, Not on 3I/ATLAS — On the Runways
As the world watched 3I/ATLAS make its closest approach to Earth — a rare interstellar comet that captivated scientists and the public alike — fashion designers found their own cosmic muse. While astronomers continue to study the enigmatic object in the sky, runways around the globe brought extraterrestrial fantasies down to earth with dramatic flair.
At the heart of this celestial style moment was Thom Browne’s Spring 2026 collection, where soundtracks borrowed from Doctor Who and Close Encounters of the Third Kind set an otherworldly stage. Models seemed to teleport rather than walk, clad in silhouettes that fused futuristic architecture with wearable art — a theme that resonated surprisingly well with the buzz around 3I/ATLAS.
Although scientists largely agree 3I/ATLAS is a natural comet — dispelling hopes of alien spacecraft — its arrival sparked widespread fascination. That cultural energy rippled straight into fashion week, where designers embraced the idea of interstellar visitors as an aesthetic — not a threat.
Walter Van Beirendonck’s menswear and pieces from Undercover echoed this cosmic narrative, recalling retro sci-fi and futuristic minimalism alike. The juxtaposition of space-age elements with classic tailoring didn’t just reference astronomy — it transformed it into a symbolic language of innovation and escapism.
In a season dominated by boundary-pushing creativity, the runway proved once again that fashion thrives on the stories we tell. Whether inspired by scientific discovery or mythic imagination, these collections turned the idea of “aliens” into an expressive force, reminding us that style often reflects our collective curiosity about the unknown.
