Breaking Taboo to Send Models down Catwalk Naked

As a wigmaker, it was certainly one way to draw attention to his model’s headwear. Designer Charlie Le Mindu broke the last taboo in the fashion world yesterday by sending models down the catwalk stark naked.

The 24-year-old whose creations are worn by Lady Gaga - caused a stir at London Fashion Week with a show featuring models clad in hot pink high-heeled boots, hats, bags, wigs...and little else.

In a scene reminiscent of the Emperor’s New Clothes, many of the assembled fashionistas did not know where to look.

French-born Le Mindu, his real name, launched his label just a year ago but has managed to grab plenty of headlines, and not just for his outlandish headgear which has included wigs in the shape of the Eiffel Tower.

At last year’s Fashion Week, he unveiled a full face headdress made of real mice and rat carcasses, outraging animal rights activists.

Asked if he was worried about the public’s reaction, he said: ‘It’s better to make them (the rodents) beautiful than give them to the snakes.’

His latest creations are not the most practical with some, including a bizarre leopard-print teddy bear headdress, covering the model’s entire face.

Born in deepest rural France, he studied hairdressing at Vidal Sassoon and Toni & Guy before turning to wigs and opening a studio in trendy Shoreditch in East London where he is now based.

It is only his second London Fashion Week, although his show was not part of the main event but staged at a fringe venue.

On the show’s website he described his interests as: ‘Stripers [sic] Los Angeles, pink cadillacs and Cher.’