In an age of turbulence, when the financial markets may wobble now and then, there is a problem with “global warming” and the flowers in the gardens have started to bloom too soon – in spite of these “minor problems” the Haute- Couture world continues to boom as was shown at the 2008 Spring/Summer fashion shows. The royal, the famous and the super-rich, with an evergrowing influx of new clientele from countries such as Russia and China – all are willing to open their purse to pay extraordinary prices for these admittedly magnificent clothes. In Paris the Spring fashion shows opened with theatrical display. Karl Lagarfeld for Chanel aimed at the younger clientelle, elegant and understated, beautiful soft colours with a classical cut. Christian Lacroix using black, white and grey, or an endless array of colours and patterns in one garment, was just as exciting as ever. Jean Paul Gaultier made a typically personal statement with strong colours creating a romantic yet cheeky look.
Highlights included a new take on Parisian classics. John Galliano seems impervious to the whims of fashion and always designs the most beautiful garments, this season utilising strong shapes and colours, reminiscent of the Symbolist era. Giorgio Armani presented a beautifully elegant and restrained selection. The end of the show saw a gesture toward his fellow designer, Valentino, with a dress in the retiring maestro’s trademark red. Parisian designer Franck Sorbier offered an enchanting, theatrical and very French, look. Givenchy’s creative director, Italian designer Ricardo Tisci, has come to the fore and received well deserved plaudits from his colleagues and the journalistic corps. Attending the show was Giorgio Armani’s royal muse, Lady Helen Taylor. The mother of four brought her own unique style as ambassador for the House of Armani. (Extract from Royalty Magazine Vol. 20/11)