Paris Fashion Week: menswear

John Galliano, Spring/Summer '09 (scroll down to read the review)
John Galliano
Galliano sure knows how to create a buzz. Dragging the fashion crowd off to an out of town go-carting rink late on Friday night and keeping them waiting just a little too long was all part of the game: the build up and the anticipation that comes before the show.

The crowd had high expectations, and Galliano rarely disappointed, his creations were high art (much more than mere looks): a highly eclectic mix of elements, styles and influences.

According to show notes the Galliano man travelled to Japan and returned to London 'with India on his mind'. So there were Pearly King Barrow Boys; Eastenders with 'manga coloured tailoring' and gorilla camouflage pants; Brick Lane Gents sporting Madras cotton, traditional Indian costume and 'discharge denims'; Naked Civil Servants, inspired by the divine Quentin Crisp dressed in Galliano's own gazette print finished off with chiffon foulards; and finally, Gurkha Punks in kilts and 'pop coloured techno-clog sneakers' and soda can wigs. Only at Galliano.