From the moon walk to the catwalk: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin makes a surprise debut at New York Men’s Fashion Week in a Mars-themed show

01 Feb From the moon walk to the catwalk: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin makes a surprise debut at New York Men’s Fashion Week in a Mars-themed show

• The former astronaut, along with TV scientist Bill Nye, were the stars of Nick Graham’s Life on Mars: Fall-Winter 2035 show on Tuesday
• Buzz closed out the fashion show wearing a chrome bomber jacket and sneakers as well as a T-shirt bearing the phrase ‘Get your a** to Mars’ 
• Just last month, Buzz became the oldest person to reach the South Pole during a visit to Antarctica 
• The 86-year-old had to be evacuated during the trip for a medical emergency, but he says it was worth the pain to set the record

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin made a surprise debut at New York Men’s Fashion Week in a Mars-themed show.

Designer Nick Graham created a range of garments for the discerning gentleman who may take and adventure to the red planet.

Aldrin told the crowd he was going to have to contact Donald Trump about his major infrastructure spending plans and suggest a greater emphasis on space travel.

He said: ‘I have to tell the president that exploration inspires more than fixing potholes.’

Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, earned cheers from the several hundred who attended the show in a hulking empty warehouse when he appeared to moonwalk down the catwalk in a silver bomber jacket and sneakers.

Buzz became the second man to walk on the Moon during the historic 1969 spaceflight, having followed his mission commander Neil Armstrong on to the surface. Only 12 men in history have ever had the honor.

‘I’ve walked on the Moon, so how hard can it be to walk in a fashion show,’ Buzz told WWD back when his appearance in the fashion show was announced.  ‘Nick’s collection is very Mars-friendly and every astronaut should look their best when they land there.’

Nick tells Daily Mail Online that he met Buzz four years ago through mutual friend Richard Branson, but only had the idea to invite Buzz to the space-inspired show two weeks ago.

‘He’s an amazing guy, and he’s all about going to Mars, so it was a great fit,’ says Nick.  ‘Mars is the new black!’

Indeed, Buzz has been an ardent supporter of NASA’s plan to send people to Mars by 2035, and during the show sported logos on his T-shirt and bomber jacket bearing the words: ‘Get your a** to Mars.’

Designer Nick Graham explains that the collection was inspired by the spacesuits worn by astronauts like Buzz, but also made with the day-to-day life of future Mars-dwellers in mind, who would presumably still ‘go out to restaurants and out on dates – so what will we wear?’

Aside from the high-shine metallics that are included throughout the collection for a space age-vibe, there are also metallic rocket prints and flashing lapel pins – ‘for if you find yourself lost in a Martian discotheque,’  says Nick.

The show also featured a projected journey from Earth to Mars using visuals from the Hayden Planetarium

Closing out the show, Buzz modeled the chrome bomber with matching silver sneakers as well as as plenty of multi-colored bracelets and rings.

In true action hero style, the astronaut popped a salute to the show’s Master of Ceremonies Bill Nye during the appearance.

After the show was over, Nick claims that Buzz was simply flying: ‘He loved it! He came off the runway and said: “Let’s do that again!” He just had a blast.’

And it won’t be the last time Nick collaborates with the American hero. ‘I have already made some pieces for him to wear this July to the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Apollo missions.

While his triumph on the Moon may have been well over four decades ago, Buzz has never stopped being a trailblazer. Aside from taking his very first walk on the runway, just last month he also became the oldest person to reach the South Pole.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4177454/Buzz-Aldrin-models-Men-s-Fashion-Week-catwalk.html#ixzz4XRUa7wXO
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