French fashion designer Thierry Mugler’s famed ‘Maschinenmensch’ suit, worn to glorious effect last night by Zendaya at the London premiere of Dune: Part Two, was directly inspired by Lang’s film and its accompanying novel by Lang’s wife (who also wrote the film’s script) Thea von Harbou. It’s unsurprising that Mugler was attracted to Metropolis, given his own interest in transforming women into hybrid creatures that blurred the lines between human, animal, and machine. A gown could metamorphose a model into an insect, while a metal bustier rendered her a motorcycle. The suit worn by Zendaya is one of his most iconic works, showcased during his extravagant hour-long 20th anniversary couture show in 1995.

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