From queens to catwalk chaos: The most unforgettable runway moments in fashion history

There are many odd, bizarre, and controversial moments that happen while walking the runway, and we’re here to discuss some of them.

A runway walk, also known as a ramp walk, is the visual presentation of a designer's art, showcasing models' clothing and accessories during fashion shows. It’s a performance that conveys the designer's vision and the idea of the collection through the model's posture, walk, and attitude.

Here are some of the most talked-about moments of the runway:

Shalom overshadows Monica Bellucci

Number one, and perhaps the most iconic, was Monica vs. Shalom, a runway moment at the Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 1995 show. It was a showdown between the beauty goddess of the ’90s and the legendary supermodel hailed as the Black Muse of the decade.

Monica was leading the show, walking in front, but she was effortlessly overshadowed by the muse, Shalom Harlow, with her signature walk. It was like: one walks like a queen, and the other walks like she doesn’t care who the queen is. The perfect runway moment doesn’t exist, except, apparently, it does.

Gigi’s iconic hair flip at Jacquemus FW20

Supermodel Gigi Hadid’s hair flip is considered one of the most iconic moments of all time. At the Jacquemus Fall/Winter 2020 show, Gigi walked the runway in a beige dress, and while walking, she moved her hair to show the back of the dress before flipping it back. The moment became an internet obsession for a long time and will be remembered forever.

Ex-couple in one Frame

Bella Hadid met Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd, at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2016, after their breakup earlier that year. The ex-couple reunited as professionals, Bella walking the runway and The Weeknd performing his track. The way they looked at each other told the whole story. This is remembered as one of the sweetest moments ever on the runway.

McQueen’s legendary robotic runway art

It’s hard to pick just one unforgettable Alexander McQueen moment, but most fashion lovers agree the finale of the Spring/Summer 1999 show takes the crown.

Shalom Harlow walked out in a wide white dress and stood on a slowly turning platform. Suddenly, two robotic arms came to life and started spraying black and gold paint all over the fabric. The dress transformed right before everyone’s eyes, and the crowd went wild.

Balenciaga’s unforgettable water runway

At a fashion show, the outfits are usually the main attraction, unless a designer does something crazy. Demna used Balenciaga’s Autumn/Winter 2020/2021 show to subtly address climate change, drawing the audience into a vision of a dystopian future.

Guests were greeted by front rows partially underwater, a reference to the climate crisis (and possibly the fashion industry’s role in it). Models then walked the waterlogged runway, creating a powerful image that will be remembered for years.

The devil really wears Prada

Hollywood’s biggest villains walked the Prada Fall 2012 show. The antiheroes included Gary Oldman, Willem Dafoe, Adrien Brody, Tim Roth, Jamie Bell, Emile Hirsch, and Garrett Hedlund. Prada welcomed some of cinema’s most famous villains to its runway. The show, which became popular as “The Villains Runway,” drew attention and became a perfect example of unforgettable fashion moments.

Yasmin Wijnaldum’s fierce walk for DSQUARED2 FW25

Yasmin Wijnaldum lit up the runway at Dsquared2’s Fall/Winter 2025 show with a walk that radiated pure confidence and style. It was one of the most-watched runway walks of 2025.

Shalom’s unforgettable bump at Versace SS95

One of the most iconic moments in the history of modeling happened at Gianni Versace’s Spring/Summer 1995 show, when Shalom Harlow bumped into Brandi Quinones in the middle of the walk while heading backstage.