Paris Fashion Week S/S 2011: Womenswear Collections

John Galliano

A John Galliano fashion show is never just about the clothes, no matter how dramatically mad-couture they may be or eccentric their reference point. Just as important is the location; which in this case was Paris’ Opera Comique looking very similar to a five tiered red velvet cake. Also fundamental is Pat McGrath’s makeup which gave the models a sultry 1920s showgirl look, complete with black sweetheart lips. And absolutely crucial is the wild hair (frizzed orange tufts among other varieties) and hat creations made by Stephen Jones that combined 1980s sport (think terry cloth visors) with fragile bride (sheer veils which masked the face and often trailed behind the models in great swags of tulle). In the middle of this creative explosion were the clothes—inspired by an early 20th c. Parisian actress, Maria Lani—which featured multiple layers of bright mousseline, gauze and tulle amongst sparkling bias cut gowns and giant wind-puffed circular cut trousers.

What Wallpaper plans on running out of Paris with: the hard case crocodile suitcase dangling in necklaces and half-closed upon a tulle dress