De-installing Washed Up at Selfridges the other night, I was tasked with the job of moving Philip Treacy’s silver Lobster hat he created for Lady Gaga from a display cabinet in the exhibition to one of the windows facing the street.

Fantastical, surreal objects as fashion are evocative and tantalising, drawing out reactions and ideas that may not appear again, but which surprise, delight, or dismay. They sit alongside other objects, each juxtaposing the other, challenging perceived preconceptions. Evocative objects are needed so that we can reiterate the famous line – the shock of the new. Be that a completely new idea, or juxtaposition of ideas.

Isn’t that what fashion is about: to challenge, to push forward, to renew relentlessly.

That is, if you like fashion.

BDW