Givenchy’s ready-to-wear collection radiates sensual charisma
Neutral colours and relaxed tailoring highlight opulence
Well-known luxury brand, Givenchy, has recently launched its women’s Spring/Summer 2008 ready-to-wear collection. While the collection designed by Riccardo Tisci has received mixed reviews, many observers feel that it is by far the best he has created for this fashion house.
The label which was launched in 1952 as a line of simple, light separates has astounded fashionistas across the globe. Today it is synonymous with luxury and modernism. The latest Spring/Summer 2008 collection is totally ready-to-wear. It is beautiful though experimental, but demonstrates the real class of Riccardo Tisci, at a really young age. A serious designer with a powerful and unique vision, Tisci has taken luxury to its peak, with his elegant creations.
This season’s looks will please even haute couture clients who had described his work as being too dark and ‘gothic’ and criticised him for altering the sacrosanct Givenchy house codes. Since his appointment as creative director of the fashion house, it has been clear that Tisci’s goal is to reinvigorate Givenchy and transform it into an edgier, more fashion-forward brand.
This alone is enough reason for him to gain supporters from the new generation. Tisci has refused to follow the trend of colourful clothes sent out by his peers. Instead he has opted for a more neutral scheme – black, white and beige with a dash of pale blue. And rather than going crazy with prints, he took the polka dot and presented it in a way that is entirely his own. No traditional dots can be seen on these clothes, only big, bold ones playing with fashionable minds. The make-up is a little bizarre marked by black liquid cat eyes but the collection is full of envy-inducing pieces.
One unforgettable piece is a one-sleeved black and grey dress with an asymmetrical hemline. The iconic label maintains a status quo with a polka dot dress in a two-layered ensemble with black as the base and a grey apron with large ‘holes’. Tisci also created keyholes on a black shell, layered it over with beige chiffon adorned with a sheer circulation fabric for volume. Unusual styling and gorgeous tiers of silk and chiffon with relaxed tailoring gives the collection an opulent feel.
The use of rivets is Tisci’s most innovative take on polka dots. He puts holes of varying sizes on jackets, blouses and dresses, giving an industrial spin to the collection even while keeping a refined and sophisticated silhouette and making much of this collection wearable. Tisci has also used big black crystal beads to add élan to what would otherwise have been a simple black dress. The season’s Givenchy line-up is another testament to Tisci’s trademark style of contemporary elegance.
The collection is not blatantly girly, but mature and sophisticated. The look simply is sensuous made for a beautifully bold and flamboyant collection. Through Tisci’s vision, Givenchy continues its lonely role as a couturier for elegant women. Givenchy products are available at select Rodeo Drive outlets in the UAE.
