The designers behind Matières Fécales, the brand that dazzled Paris Fashion Week

Fecal Matter is one of the must-watch emerging brands that made its debut at Paris Fashion Week last week. Behind this unforgettable name— to say the least—lies a visionary duo unafraid to redefine beauty and grotesque aesthetics, imposing their avant-garde vision on the most prestigious runways. Hannah Rose Dalton and Steven Raj Bhaskaran met at LaSalle College in Montreal in 2016 while both studying fashion. At first glance, they seemed completely different. Hannah, born in New Zealand, came from an affluent background and attended a private school, which starkly contrasted with Steven, a queer and non-binary individual who grew up in Guyana and later Canada under precarious circumstances, facing multiple layers of discrimination. In an interview with Hypebae, Steven admitted that upon first meeting Hannah, he thought they wouldn’t get along due to their striking differences, including their fashion sense. Hannah also had a negative first impression of her future partner. “We didn’t vibe: I was very studious, taking a lot of notes in class, and Steven was more creative, which annoyed me,” she explained to Antidote magazine.

Yet, beyond these contrasts, they discovered common ground in their rejection of the status quo and their shared desire to redefine femininity in a radical way. The signature of this Canadian brand stands out through its unique aesthetic, blending post-humanism and gothic style, enhanced by the use of bold prosthetics. The models feature smooth, bald heads, shaved eyebrows, and dramatic makeup that creates an almost unsettling “alien” effect. The designers themselves embody this distinctive aesthetic, challenging traditional beauty norms. Hannah and Steven present an otherworldly style: bald heads, shaved eyebrows, enlarged eyes with lenses, and makeup that reinforces their post-human appearance. Every aspect of their look seems like an extension of their art, blurring the lines between fashion and performance. However, their stylistic boldness has not come without consequences. Their radical appearance provokes extreme reactions, from ridicule to physical assaults. They were even attacked on a bus—a traumatic experience that highlights the persistent intolerance toward difference. Online harassment is equally intense, with the designers regularly receiving death threats on social media, proving that their vision of fashion continues to provoke and divide.

Despite these obstacles, the duo remains undeterred, continuing to defend their unique aesthetic. Alongside their work in fashion, they are also DJs, exploring other artistic expressions. Hannah explained that when they used to go out at night, they never liked the music because they were sober. So, they decided to create their own music—one that would make people want to dance even without a drop of alcohol. Their musical performances, much like their fashion creations, defy conventions and immerse their audience in a dystopian, immersive universe. Through their brand, Fecal Matter, Hannah and Steven continue their mission to redefine beauty and explore identity beyond society’s imposed norms. While their journey is fraught with challenges, their determination to push the boundaries of art and fashion cements their place as key figures in contemporary creativity.