Givenchy Spring Summer 2018

The Givenchy Spring Summer 2018 Ready To Wear collection designed by Clare Waight Keller is a women’s and men’s wardrobe intrinsically linked to the urban spirit of Paris and the romantic allure of a modern couple. Seduction Transformation is the visual manifestation of an attitude, to shape our understanding of the new Givenchy woman and man.

Inspired by the savoir-faire of Hubert de Givenchy, the silhouette is constructed from the shoulder to create bold shapes in wool mohair tailoring, sculpted organza dresses and organdie shirts. Double-breasted military coats and blazers define a sharp silhouette that relaxes via boyish teddy jackets and perfecto shapes. The dramatic shoulder continues with lantern or puff sleeve blouses worn with shirt collars or a plunging V-shaped décolleté. Trousers sit high and taper to the ankle in moiré silk, biker leather, or marble denim, and strict mini-skirts are sliced with asymmetric pleating for a sense of movement.

Hubert’s favourite colours of black, navy, and white meet a shock of vermillion red, sky blue, and the softness of mint green. Prints celebrate wild nature: tiger stripes, lightning bolts, degrade spots, clover from the Autumn Winter 1961 Haute Couture collection, and lips from the Autumn Winter 1979 Haute Couture collection contrast the rigor of pinstripes, rugby striped knits, Vichy checks, hound’s tooth, and thorn jacquard. Men’s and women’s fabrics are mixed and matched throughout, and the season marks the return of the iconic ‘4G’ emblem.

Evening wear pays homage to the mid-century, with satin bow details, cape shape cocktail dresses, and new plays on the ‘Sabrina’ dress in monochrome lace-encrusted pleating sculpted in ruffles and tiers. Men’s tuxedos are cut in lamé, embroidered velvet, or jacquard with a beaded lapel.

The new GV3 bag features a mirrored ‘Double G’ clasp and a chain strap to be worn around the waist as a belt, in the hand or on the shoulder. On foot, heeled Western ‘pixie’ boots and pointed pumps feature a python toe, and men’s round toe boots zip to the ankle in warm burnished calf skin. Chunky fob necklaces, bracelets, and pocket chains join delicate sword earrings as a decorative statement of the collection’s urban spirit.