FRANCE: Galliano mixes architectural tailoring and vibrant colour to produce a sophisticated autumn/winter haute couture collection for Dior

Record ID: 197237

  • Title: FRANCE: Galliano mixes architectural tailoring and vibrant colour to produce a sophisticated autumn/winter haute couture collection for Dior
  • Date: 2nd July 2008
  • Summary: (W1) PARIS, FRANCE (JUNE 30, 2008) (REUTERS) ACTRESS EVA MENDES WALKING INTO DIOR HAUTE COUTURE SHOW
  • Embargoed: 17th July 2008 13:00
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  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA4A6FWP0Z39DI6IDJJT9YUPU3K
  • Story Text: John Galliano delved into the Dior archives for inspiration for the 2008-2009 autumn/winter haute couture collection shown in Paris on Monday (June 30).
    Christian Dior, who revolutionised the female wardrobe with his post-war "New Look", would change the cut and silhouette of his dresses every season. Paying homage to Christian Dior, Galliano used radical, almost architectural tailoring to give the clothes a sophisticated yet vampish edge. To accentuate the cut of the dresses, many were finished off with waist cinching corset bar belts.
    Black-and-white featured heavily on the Dior catwalk, although the monochrome trend was freshened up with a second half of the show that was full of vibrant colours. Other trends include cloche hats and leather studs.
    Apart from past Dior catalogues, other influences included Lisa Fonssagrives, the wife of photographer Irving Penn.
    "It is also inspired by the wife of Iriving Penn, the great photographer, Lisa Fonssagrives, who was in her own right a great artist and sculptor. And I think her energy and input in creating some of the most iconic fashion and imagery we have today was just incredible. And I had tea with Mr.
    Penn in New York and that inspired me greatly," Galliano said.
    The show took place in the romantic Jardin Rodin and guests included the actress Eva Mendes, the model Claudia Schiffer and the singer Janet Jackson.
    Jackson was impressed by Galliano's ability to contrast textures and ideas. She said she was there to support an old friend.
    "We met years ago. Maybe fifteen plus years ago. We met here in Paris. I've been a fan for a very long time," Jackson said.
    Model Claudia Schiffer was especially impressed by the intricacy and architecture of the tailoring. Commenting on the collection finale, an embroidered black tulle and crin dress which resembled butterfly wings when viewed from certain angles, she said: "Well the finale was just breath-taking, just the design. I mean in terms of the detail of what was on it and how you could view it from all sides, it was just incredible from any angle and it was amazing. And everything is obviously very elegant, feminine and playful, but it always has an edge, which I love," Schiffer said.
    Paris haute couture autumn/winter 2008-2009 week continues tomorrow with shows from Chanel and Christian Lacroix.
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