A cast of Parisian street characters, a cage of chickens, 17 kilos of potatoes, a giant Union Jack and a teddy-bear in a top hat? It could only be John Galliano in full flow. The flamboyant designer put on a theatrical display for his autumn/winter ready-to-wear collection in Paris that exuded the eccentric extravagance he has made his name for.
Ignoring current trends and instead focusing on exquisite details, his beautiful clothes were just as enchanting as the whimsical country house setting - from a dress covered in huge appliquéd roses, to a highwayman's coat with ruffled sleeves and the Twenties-style bias cut gowns.
His costume drama wasn't the only runway showing some theatrical flair, however. Over at Kenzo, designer Antonio Marras produced a passionate, Latino-themed collection complete with a troupe of male tango dancers with rag-doll partners. Oversized red rose prints against a black bakground, poncho-style shawls in tartan and swirling tango dresses added to the exuberant atmosphere at the close of Paris Fashion Week.
While Galliano and Kenzo referenced the theatre and dance worlds, Louis Vuitton looked to art history for inspiration and found it in the work of the Old Masters such as Vermeer. Models in Flemish floppy berets made a colourful impression in Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs' fluffy orange jumpers and scarlet skirts. For evening he offered pretty and romantic dresses with feathers at the hem.
And if anyone was missing the glamour of last month's Oscars, then Lebanese maestro Elie Saab's runway was the place to be. The man who dresses the likes of Halle Berry and Beyonce produced winning evening gowns embellished with light-catching sequins.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
