Simply Abu Dhabi XXXI

GIvENCHY G ivenchy artistic director Clare Waight Keller for the new Givenchy Haute Couture Fall Winter 2018 collection paid homage to Monsieur Hubert de Givenchy, not only for the timelessness of his creations, but as a tribute to the innate elegance of the man himself and the grace with which he lived. After dressing Meghan Markle for her wedding, she has become the celebrity designer of 2018 as was Mr. Hubert de Givenchy in the 50s when he dressed Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Thus, the entire collection was a tribute to the house heritage mirroring the founder’s personality. Is this a love letter to Paris and to the fashion house that allowed Waight Keller to be one of the most acclaimed designers of our era? It might be as the creative flair of both designers (Givenchy and Waight Keller) was evident. Sleek, graphic and slightly futuristic shapes by Monsieur de Givenchy in the sixties and seventies were a huge part of the collection, revisited through Clare’s purist aesthetic and renewed effortlessness, especially for the evening gowns. Men’s tailoring techniques in the capes and coats contrast with the poise of flou in draped silk cady or georgette. Ostrich or cockerel feather flourishes on dresses and coats, crystal embroideries inspired by minerals or agate, and tail and sharp coats were also in the collection. The silhouette is sleek and precise adding that purist vibe of Waight Keller’s aesthetic. The colours are vibrant but understated: black, white, purple, silver, gold, orange, salmon pink and beige.