Paris Couture Week was a splash in the past. Eat, drink, love, breathe couture at its highest glories.
Karl Lagerfeld presented “The Glory Of Water" on the Quai of Pont Alexandre III giving a whole new perspective to the millenial spectacular fountains of Rome. Did we forget to mention the Chanel Couture theatrical presentation in a make believe disheveled theater?
Vionnet presented an utterly impressive retrospectives of her genius, we re-discovered this time through the eyes of its creative director Goga Ashkenazi.
Then the Christian Lacroix’ tribute to Elsa Schiaparelli and it was a dream at first sight. Elaborate, fascinating, exquisite celebration of her legacy, the collection will remain in the annals.
The cages, the virtual chirping birds and bamboo manipulated a surreal ambiance. The mannequins carrouseled the 18 looks each one bearing reminiscence of Schiaparelli’s elements. The parachute pockets from the “cash and carry" collection, the surrealism, the jumpsuit, the symbolism of the “circus" line all recall the idea that the designer was creating something elegant yet convenient. The inspiration dates back to a around World War II dark and scary period when “Paris could still be elegant" to say it with Lacroix.
Bravo to Lacroix who presented couture at its highest and built such a superior precedent that made all the other runways blush.
And, yes indeed, Paris was a little more than simply elegant, at least for those three days. Another milestone of fashion history was marked.
What will happen to the collection? There were no comments from Mr. Lacroix and the maison, what we know is that it is not up for sale.
