Show Review: Givenchy Ready-to-Wear Spring 2016

I would wager that Givenchy’s Spring 2016 RTW Collection was one of the most highly anticipated collections to show this season in New York. Not simply because of Riccardo Tisci’s masterful injection of cool to this historic French brand for the past 10 years or its claim to fame for having some of the biggest celebrity fans (including the Kardashian-West clan, Ciara, and Jennifer Hudson to name a few), although these facts certainly matter! More importantly, this was the season when fashion was truly brought to the fans, with a democratized giveaway of invitations to the brand’s first show in New York. Now if that doesn’t indicate that times are changing, I’m not sure quite what else does.

The term sexy would be an understatement to describe the combination of lingerie-esque pieces Tisci and his design team crafted for this inaugural New York bout. The opening looks were camisoles and blouses of super-intricate lace and silk blends paired with what looked to be a heavier tuxedo-style pant with trailing silk ties. One of my favorite models, Lineisy Montero, donned the first all-black look that looked like it was ready for the bedroom or perhaps the boardroom if styled with the appropriate blazer.

Follow-on dresses borrowed from the boudoir, but nothing felt overly risqué. Paired with the right accessories and cover-ups where necessary, these night-time pieces become cocktail dresses for an edgy art exhibit, Met Gala after-party ensembles, or in the case of one look, a daring take on an engagement party gown.

The inclusion of male models in womenswear shows seems like a trend that won’t stop and to be honest, it works from a storytelling perspective. The men were dressed quite simply in all-black or all-white suiting and appeared in unison with their female counterparts; some even wore sheer dress shirts with lace detailing.

Towards the latter half of the show, Tisci showed dramatic headpieces, studded piercings, and more sculptural designs that certainly appeared more haute couture than ready-to-wear. I’m pretty sure Bey has already earmarked a few of those gowns to be transformed into one-piece leotards soon enough.

Overall, the collection showed tremendous stretch from a technical perspective and it took the audience on a journey celebrating the sheer beauty of woman in all of her vulnerability and strength, a touching tribute in light of 9/11. For me and for the 820+ fans who witnessed live in-person, Tisci certainly has become the people’s choice.