Givenchy’s runway shows under creative director Matthew M. Williams have proven so far to be one of artistic and entertaining feats. Set just outside of Paris at the La Defense Arena in Nanterre on a cross shaped runway last night, not one member of the audience was lost in boredom. For this collection Williams succeeded in creating looks in his streetwear style coupled with the house’s elegant history.
For womenswear the pieces have an edge, a sophisticated element to them. Created with the idea that women have to be comfortable in this collection, is a sensible one. Realizing that the time the world has been in for the past two years Williams was careful to create practicality. Incorporating haute couture sensibility in everyday looks allowed the brand to elevate what looks ordinary into the extraordinary.
“I really wanted to create a synthesis of powerful, sophisticated femininity, with an interplay of multiple American and Parisian influences, sports and craftsmanship. Next to her stands a contemporary man with an instinct for chic nonchalance. On the runway, both are grounded by a sense of reality,” states Williams.
The creative director has coupled denim with sequins, and pearls are a nod to the house’s namesake founder Hubert de Givenchy’s, “sense of practical ornamentally.” Sticking to a black, dark green, and darker as well as lighter shades of brown, Williams is able to tell his sartorial story with sensibility in his choice color palette. The way he chose to tell this season’s story was on a unique runway. After all guests were seated the black fabric that covered the runways was rolled back until clear flooring was exposed. As models descended the runway you saw them walking under the glass flooring until they made their way to stand on top of the guest’s eye level.
Hoodies, pants, dresses of various lengths, jackets, and skirts imagined uniquely by Williams fill the collection. “Givenchy classicism and radicalism are united in a play on layered volumes and textures. The day-to-day familiarity of washed jersey is explored with a new, intricate, layered rigor where an experiment in graphics and 4D print embroidery is brought to the fore,” notes the house.
It's inspiring how Williams has been able to marry his signature design style with inspiration from the house’s history. It’s almost something that has to be seen to be believed, this marriage. And while Williams isn’t predictable in his design aesthetic, he is unpredictable in creating looks that keep Givenchy watchers guessing.
Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn.