Givenchy at NYFW: Riccardo Tisci gives an ode to 9/11
updated the 6 October 2015 à 22:28
We take a closer look at what went down during the Parisian house’s Spring 2016 show over the weekend.
Givenchy designer, Riccardo Tisci’s decision to hold his Spring 2016 show in New York, in conjunction with the city’s 14th anniversary of 9/11, was definitely no coincidence. After weeks of speculating the reasons behind why he decided to do so, we can now conclude and give an answer to the questions posed: Why New York when Givenchy shows have always been held in Paris? Why on 9/11? And why were over a thousand tickets handed out to members of the public weeks prior to the show?
OVERLOOKING THE NYC SKYLINE
The pier overlooking the New York skyline at dusk was picture-perfect as guests were entertained with an abstract performance by artist Marina Abramovic (best known for her interactive piece The Artist is Present) for over an hour before the show finally began. Model muse Mariacarla Boscono began walking to a soundtrack of hums and religious hymns of praise that set a somber atmosphere for the entire show. Tisci displayed already-launched menswear and couture looks alongside the new Spring 2016 lineup, totaling the number of looks to 88, which made for a real, long spectacle out of the fashion show experience for both the industry insiders, celebs and hopeful public.
RICCARDO TISCI’S HOMAGE TO 9/11
It’s clear to deduce that an ode to the U.S. was in order. Tisci hoped to send his audience into a pondering state and set aside the glitz and glam of the current situation for a moment of remembrance that the nation has come a long way since the 9/11 tragedy. He also celebrates the opening of the new Givenchy standalone store in New York, for despite the varying opulent style of the Givenchy brand with the modern upbeat city, it was a way to introduce Parisian aesthetics into NYC’s concrete jungle.
Bringing in the locals was a way to allow non-fashion enthusiasts a peek into the elite industry and have a better understanding of the works, while simultaneously allowing them to appreciate how fashion, pop culture and worldwide, revolutionising events work hand-in-hand. We hope to see more of such practices in the future, whether internationally or on our shores for Singapore Fashion Week, to allow fashion’s accessibility to the common man as well. In the meantime, immerse yourself in the sights of the groundbreaking event with snaps of the show in our gallery above.
Nur Syazana H.
