From The Straits Times    |

Riccardo Tisci’s Fall/Winter 13 Givenchy line drew inspiration from “gypsies and Victorians”.

The designer was the last to show at Paris Fashion Week yesterday, as the biannual event enters its final week.

His presentation went down a storm with critics, many of who have cited him as one of fashion’s major ones to watch.

In the show notes, he was said to have drawn on “the strength of gypsies meets the romanticism of a Victorian feeling” while creating the looks. While at first some wondered how the two aesthetics could meld together, by the end of the show they were won over.

Givenchy reveals gypsy-inspired line

First up, the designer sent out a model in a knee-length mesh dress skirt with glittering black spots all over it. The delicate piece was teamed with a lace sweatshirt boasting a portrait of Disney character Bambi spliced with a high-art painting. The look was finished with a slim belt and calf-length boots, and seemed to be a nod towards the street style looks which have become more and more popular lately.

The same thin top was worn over other pieces, some of which gave more of a nod towards the designer’s inspiration. Among them was a knee-length floral dress in nude, with the blooms covering it in bright red.

Later the print took centre stage, but again was given a tough edge. A pencil skirt was paired with a biker jacket in the fabric, with zip detailing and a round neck offering a modern look.

Other chiffon skirts were edged in leather at the hem and again teamed with biker jackets in a flowered fabric – this time mostly black, with the petals coming in white and red for impact.

As things wore on the skirts became longer and tiered, sometimes with hem detailing. Others hit mid-calf and included miniature fishtails – all teamed with calf boots in a nod to the Victoria inspiration.