Mother Earth's Sensuality at Givenchy
Givenchy debuted its Spring/Summer 2017 collection this morning, October 2, in Paris. The theme was au naturale celebrating the woman’s body in an earthy color palette with geode and agate stones as inspiration. These natural focal points and mandala-style prints were placed on nude slips, introducing a wave of pantsuits and sheer, chiffon gowns styled with chunky agate-pendant necklaces (the collection’s strongest item). Riccardo Tisci’s collection paid a greater deal of attention to the diverse and exciting pattern of the agate center piece, rather than the design of the garments holding the stone. This attention led to some mesmerizing, psychedelic prints that translated well across the dimly lit lawn of the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle in hues of pink and orange.
Tisci and the Givenchy team produced a collection that could adapt to flatter all body types for a universal sale, with dresses in different cuts, loose silhouettes and little intricacy that could easily be fitted for fast-fashion shoppers. Tisci once again created a design that could be applied on a wider scale for stores such as Zara or Forever 21 to take hold of in their symbiotic-fashion relationship, just as he has since 2010. The collection was made with no shock and no awe but with enough minimalism, relevancy and celebrity endorsement to make a guaranteed sell.
While the excitement was simply not there, the message was clear and simple enough. The show and its affinity for the natural, set in the Jardin de Plantes, proved Tisci’s want for female empowerment and sensuality; a key theme used throughout this Paris Fashion Week in shows such as Dior. He used light, dainty fabrics and power suits to mix both ideas of carnal and mental empowerment. According to Vogue’s Nicole Phelps, Tisci wanted to bring, “…something more sensual and more powerful,” which he believed correlated directly with nature. The distinct color palette and oval patterns subtly expressed the sexuality of the body, making a connection between Mother Earth as creator and sex goddess; in a kind of Plain-Jane manner.
