As humankind ventures beyond our atmosphere with these astronomical projects, we wonder: What does one wear in outer space? —David Lytle
1. Gucci
After delivering satellites into orbit, Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket re-entered the atmosphere and maneuvered a nearly successful zero-velocity touchdown on the Atlantic Ocean. Now, SpaceX sees the day when the reusable rocket model will be able to land easily on solid ground and on floating platforms.
Gucci leather-and-silk embroidered dress ($8,500); Wren&Glory starburst-back earrings ($145).
2. Stella McCartney
Richard Branson’s Virgin Galacticis reaching for the stars with its six-passenger SpaceShipTwo. At $250,000 per seat, the flight into suborbital space includes cocktails and the opportunity to unstrap and experience the weightlessness of space.
Stella McCartney midnight stretch cady dress ($4,685) and navy lace-up wedges ($1,080), at Saks Fifth Avenue (Union Square); Tiffany & Co. T bar cuff in sterling silver ($2,800); Jennifer Fisher brass-and-silver xl perforated ring ($310); Robert Lee Morris gunmetal knuckle ring ($250), silver-plated Static cuff ($690), silver-plated Power cuff ($595), gunmetal thin bangle ($200), and gunmetal slice ring ($195); Wren&Glory starburst-back earrings.
3. Carven
XCOR Aerospace—Virgin Galactic’s underdog neighbor in California’s Mojave Desert—may be the winner in the race to take paying passengers into suborbital space. As early as 2015, the company’s Lynx rocket will launch a single civilian for the bargain price of $95,000.
Carven dress ($1,390); Jennifer Fisher brass-and-silver xl perforated ring; Wren&Glory starburst-back earrings; Robert Lee Morris gunmetal slice ring.
4. Chanel
Apparently anything is possible at Google X, where “Captain of Moonshots” Astro Teller (yes, that’s his real name) is leading R&D on the space elevator. First conceived of back in 1895, the contraption would carry projects and supplies from terra firma into the orbital atmosphere via a car that runs along a “ribbon” connected to a counterweight in space.
Chanel cashmere pullover ($3,250), printed muslin skirt ($3,700), cashmere collar ($900), and tights ($250), at select Chanel boutiques; Robert Lee Morris silver plated Static cuff; Jennifer Fisher brass-and-silver
xl perforated ring.
5. Prada
Husband-wife team Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum, owners of Paragon Space Development Corporation, have dreamed of visiting Mars for more than 20 years. They might get their chance in 2021, when Earth and the Red Planet are aligned perfectly for the one-way journey.
Prada goat hair dress ($9,180), brush leather and shearling coat ($9,810), and sweater ($1,135); Jennifer Fisher brass-and-silver xl perforated ring; Robert Lee Morris gunmetal knuckle ring.
6. Marc Jacobs
NASA, the original space pioneer, continues its legacy. In 2015, a Russian Soyuz rocket will carry Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko and American astronaut Scott Kelly to the International Space Station for a one-year mission, the longest for any US spaceman.
Marc Jacobs bomber jacket with hood ($4,100) and color-blocked leggings ($495); Chanel white lambskin sneakers ($1,074), at select Chanel boutiques; Robert Lee Morris gunmetal slice ring; Jennifer Fisher brass-and-silver xl perforated ring; Wren&Glory starburst-back earrings.
7. Sacai
Built at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory outside Los Angeles, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 first explored Jupiter and Saturn in the late 1970s. Four decades later, they are operating well beyond their sell-by date. In 2012, V1 became the first human-made device to leave our solar system when it crossed into interstellar space; V2 is expected to cross that threshold in 2016.
Sacai puffer coat with hood and Mongolian lamb sleeves ($4,624) and white leather motorcycle vest ($3,125); Tiffany & Co. T Collection 18k gold and ceramic cutout ring, (price upon request); Wren&Glory starburst-back earrings.
8. Nice Collective
In preparation for an eventual trip to Mars, NASA has plunked astronauts into a simulated Martian environment. Mission commander Casey Steadman, of the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog & Simulation (HI-SEAS) crew, posted on Instagram: “I haven’t seen a tree, smelled the rain, heard a bird, or felt wind on my skin in four months.”
Nice Collective metallic silver leather jacket ($1,300); Sacai white leather motorcycle vest; Giuseppe Zanotti silver leather sneakers ($895); Robert Lee Morris gunmetal slice ring; Jennifer Fisher brass-and-silver xl perforated ring.
9. Miu Miu
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin leapfrogged history and set foot on the moon, infinitely expanding our concept of the universe.
Miu Miu ricamo dress ($5,780), at Saks Fifth Avenue (Union Square); Wren&Glory starburst-back earrings; Jennifer Fisher brass-and-silver xl perforated ring.
10. Bess
Bess jacket ($1,440); turtleneck and welder’s mask, stylist’s own.
Photography by Nadya Wasylko, Model: Ira Sumbaeva (Muse Model Management), Hair: Shlomi Mor using St. Moire (Atelier Management), Makeup: Misuzu Miyake using M.A.C. Cosmetics (Art Mix Creative), Market Editor: Anisha Tekade, Set Stylist: Rachel Mayfield
This article was published in 7x7's September 2014 issue. Click here to subscribe.
