October 3, 2016 |
Madame Rykiel. However, this show wasn’t a sad affair, but a reason to celebrate everything that made her the classy woman and designer we all knew and loved. Her documentary played on screens as we entered the space, shortly followed by a tribute to the designer. You’d struggle to find a dry eye in the house. And then followed the collection. A beautiful ode by Julie de Libran to a woman she looked up to. To open – 13 girls in matching black outfits each with a letter emblazoned on their sweaters to spell out ‘RYKIEL FOREVER’. A powerful message. And the message continued through the collection, although not so overt, but it was a strong message that the house will continue on. Very chic, very French, and this season oversized, but light. The best of Rykiel, but evolved. Looking forward. And although the usual joyful mood wasn’t apparent this season, it didn’t feel missed because perhaps there was a quieter message in the way the girls walked the catwalk. Always remembering where they came from, but striding on into the future.
Photographs by Jason Lloyd-Evans
