In an unexpected twist Riccardo Tisci's normally gothic girls were clad in a much softer pallet of muted tones. White dresses, as pictured here on Karmen Pedaru and Natasha Poly dominated the showing with the darkest colour being the chocolate brown of the ostrich feathered dress worn by Malgosia Bela. There was still something dark and mysterious lingering in the air though. The garments, more like pieces of wearable art, hung so beautifully from the models lean limbs. They wore them with an air sadness.
Perhaps it was Tisci's reference to the way the dead are seen in Mexican tradition and celebrated on Dia de los Muertos, the day of the dead. These intriguingly beautiful ghost girls, their presence like spirits still lingering. Tisci was admittedly inspired by one of the most influential Mexican painters of the middle twentieth century, his collection echoing the pain and passion depicted in Frida Kahlo's works.
Kahlos obsessions were religion, sensuality and the human anatomy, topics that feautured heavily in the Givenchy couture fall 2010 collection. Details included zipper pulls of tiny little bones. Ceramic skulls sitting centerpiece appeared as those of La Calavera Catrina. Dense crystal clusters with pearls aplenty. Ostrich feathers and Chantilly lace. Elaborate ornamentation.
As Tisci himself muttered, it certainly was "a romantic way to see death"
