“THAT was very tough, very much Riccardo’s woman,” said Lucinda Chambers after tonight’s Givenchy show. “Sexy, tight leggings, an incredible use of skin – and of course there was Gisele closing the show, she’s so fabulous. It’s always great to see her.”
When we saw rumours that Gisele was in town on Twitter we expected that she’d arrived early to be fitted for Wednesday’s Louis Vuitton show – but here she was in all her golden glory. Her appearance was a highlight to a show that added a hardcore attitude to the aquatic theme that we’ve begun to see since London. A multi-coloured ocean bed at Mary Katrantzou; glittering star fish at Versace, sea shells on Tuesday’s Chanel ticket and a mermaid on tonight’s for Givenchy.
But there was nothing whimsical or fairytale about this collection – its palette of cream, baby pink, khaki and silver, with the requisite Givenchy black, was its only softness as sleeveless tuxedo dresses, super tight leggings - with silver zips up the back of each ankle - wrapped in miniskirts that hung low at the back, and jackets with alligator lapels and stiff undulating peplums bouncing high on the hips screamed out take-no-prisoners hardcore Tisci attitude.
Huge shark’s teeth pendants and white, metallic heeled stilettos underlined the point, while Tisci took a variety of skins – either python or sting ray – and stamped paillettes out of them which added a couture feel and made the clothes all the more powerful.
Chiffon tunic dresses fell close to the body in tiered layers, with racer backs and fronts - the romance of the colour and fabric entirely in contrast to the message, before silver sequins took over and then pale rose coloured iridescence that called to mind the skin of the mermaid on our invite.
Jodhpur-style leggings with cropped riding jackets were edged in python, while high-waisted pencil skirts were held on by one metallic brace pulled diagonally over one shoulder. It was fast paced and high energy – the Givenchy woman is a force to be reckoned with.
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