Real Life Haute Couture

(photos by Kasia Bobula)

When I first saw the look book images of the usual givenchy girls by the bridge, I was underwhelmed. There was so much of the last two couture collections here, I intially dismissed it as Tisci recycling. It wasn't until I saw these shots by Kasia Bobula of the actual installation and the details up close in their perfection that I fell in love. Now I see that this is Ricardo refining, letting go of his gimick of oriental birds of paradise or his devotion to the gothic. In this collection he simply poured all into the beuaty and practice of couture. He used the houses Lemarié for feathers and Lesage for broderie. Each pearl was wrapped in organza to contain the sheen placed on fabric so fine it is barely perceptable, even the fabric flowers were hand-picked antiques. Not only is the mastery of couture undeniable, but here all the elements together don't weigh down the dresses but rather create a lightness. For the first time I think Tisci has found his perfection.