The romantic allure of a modern couple resonates strongly in Givenchy’s Spring-Summer 2018 collection.
Think double-breasted military coats and blazers with sharp silhouettes that emphasize the shoulders; puff-sleeve blouses with plunging V-shape decolletté; organza dresses, organdie shirts and mohair tailoring.
Women’s tailored blazers can be paired with romantic lace dresses for subtle layering that is both edgy and sweet. Miniskirts make movement more dramatic with asymmetric pleating and handkerchief hemming.
There are also high-waist trousers that taper to the ankle in moiré silk, biker leather or marble denim.
Favorite colors
Lifestyle journalists from Southeast Asia were treated to an exclusive preview of the collection, dubbed “Seduction Transformation,” in Hong Kong right after the holidays.
The series showed designer Clare Waight Keller giving a nod to founder Hubert de Givenchy’s favorite black, navy and white and mixing these with vermilion, sky blue and mint green to create “a visual manifestation of an attitude, to shape our understanding of the new Givenchy woman and man.”
To do this, Keller tamed wild prints like tiger stripes, lightning bolts and dégradé spots from Givenchy’s Autumn-Winter 1961 haute couture and joined them with the iconic “lips” emblem from the 1979 Autumn-Winter series.
She then mixed in more rigorous pinstripes, rugby striped knits, Vichy checks, houndstooth and thorn jacquard to create rich and vibrant pieces.
The design house took care to give equal attention to the wardrobes of both women and men, noting that the season’s designs “are intrinsically linked to the urban spirit of Paris” and the stylish individuals who roam its streets.
Keller also trained her sights on evening wear, focusing on mid-20th century features such as satin bow details, cape-shaped cocktail dresses and reinventions of the “Sabrina” dress in monochrome lace-encrusted pleating.
Men’s tuxedos were done in lamé, embroidered velvet and jacquard with beaded lapels.
Fine metalwork
This season also introduces the mirrored “Double G” clasp borrowed from the original “4G” in Givenchy’s new GV3 bag. The accessory comes in four sizes—nano, mini, small and medium—to suit different moods and movements.
The bags also have very fine metalwork in either gold or silver, similar to that of precious jewelry and pocket watches.
Adjusting the bag’s chain strap allows the wearer to transform it into a belt, a shoulder bag or a tiny handbag.
Rounding up this season’s accessories are heeled Western “pixie” boots, pointed pumps with a python toe and men’s round-toe boots in warm burnished calfskin that zip to the ankle.
Givenchy’s accessories also include chunky fob necklaces, bracelets, pocket chains and sword earrings that emphasize the brand’s urban spirit.
Givenchy is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. and is located at Greenbelt 4, Shangri-La Plaza East Wing and Solaire. Follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.
