STYLE / FASHION : Real Duds

Even world-class designers come up with duds now and then, so new collections have their share of giggles and goofs. Sometimes these outrageous creations actually help illustrate a new direction or trend. Sometimes they signal genius ahead of its time. And sometimes they are just plain bad.

The Spring ’93 outfits shown here qualify for that last, dubious distinction. English designer Vivienne Westwood combined menswear tailoring and the Western influence to produce Tom Mix on Wall Street. In Paris, Jean-Paul Gaultier created a “dress” of curly blond hair and a crocheted evening gown that, as part of the see-through trend, let it all hang out.

In what was perhaps a nod to environmental concerns, the Chloe collection featured a frou-frou beekeeper’s bonnet more likely to repel buyers than insects. And Dolce & Gabbana took the return to hippiedom a bead too far: Only a hodgepodge of beads, sequins and ethnic prints could make supermodel Cindy Crawford look like a bad trip.

To be sure, most of this nutty stuff will never be produced or sold in stores. Still, it serves a purpose: It keeps designers humble.