|
 |
Heart and Soul
Written by Timothy Hagy
PARIS, July 7 - As paparazzi swarmed around Liz Hurley in the Ecole des Beaux Arts on Wednesday afternoon before the Christian Lacroix show, Yves Carcelle, President of Louis Vuitton, reminisced. "I was President of Lacroix 15 years ago, and a piece of my heart will always be here."
Lacroix has an enormous following, both in the US and in France, where he is regarded as a cultural icon. He also happens to be a very easy-going, genuine man with a warm, humble disposition. After today's bright, joyful show, the designer squeamishly replied "I don't know" when complimented backstage afterwards. I suppose there can always be some self doubt, even when you are on top of the game.
Models stepped out from behind an immense burgundy velvet curtain sported over-sized white wigs, their sparkling brooches and jeweled purses nearly show stopping. The bijoux de fantasie, largely created for Lacroix by the brilliant design team on aura tout vu, are among the finest examples of couture jewelry to be found anywhere on the planet.
As for the collection, there were any number of gems that passed down the runway: take a splendid coat glistening with gold lamé embroidery and trimmed with foaming fox fur. A melon-pink gown, bordered with plumes, dripped in silver, almost as if it had been poured on. An ephemeral chocolate satin gown falling gently over the shoulder, the train twisted and draped, floated whimsically down the catwalk.
You might have been delighted by a cocktail dress twirled of peach and apricot chiffon, or a robe of creamy vanilla feathers overlaid with a snow-white satin sash.
The solidly colored pieces unfolded in beautiful shades of pistachio, lilac, rose, pale champagne green, emerald, chartreuse and fuchsia
There is always something about Lacroix's work that tugs at the heart, ever so gently at first, and then eventually it becomes soul warming. That of course is the explanation for the most elusive word in the dictionary - his couture is art.
|
|
