After 6 years of waiting,
the question arises... was it worth the wait? The answer strictly depends on
what you were expecting from one of the last of the fashion wunderkinds. If you
were expecting a revelation and never before seen silhouettes and visions, well
you will be sadly disappointed as monsieur Alaïa is not one to bend to trends
or to stray from his brand’s DNA or highly particular vocabulary.
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Alaïa is a sort
of mad scientist as well a “tiny tyrant”
who explores fabrications, constructions and techniques rather than out on a
limb flights of fancy. It all about his treatments and craftsmanship; the play
on shapes and volumes is more or less familiar just possibly taken to the next
level of workmanship, skillset and quality. In other words don’t expect to be
jolted out of your seat but rather to be awed by the abilities that the man
possesses.
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It really should
be taken into account one more time that here is an example of that blurred
line between couture and ready to wear since to an untrained eye it
would not be shocking if they cannot discern the difference. If there is an
aspect or aspects that seem to stand out they would be the shearlings, the
tulle confections, the coats, suits and that series of silver pieces that came toward
the end of the show.
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The take away
here is simply this was a return to the calendar that he has eschewed and
bucked for years. The real question is whether or not this is a one off situation
or will this be the start of a new cycle for the designer … if I had to proffer a guess, I’d say don’t
count on him joining the flock in the foreseeable future. He is and I believe
will remain the rebellious and fiercely independent tiny terror of French fashion.
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PS ... I guess
Anna’s invite was lost in the mail … AGAIN!