PURPLE reigned at Guillaume Henry’s SS17 offering for Nina Ricci. Perhaps a tribute from an enthusiastic fan of Prince who just happens to have an atelier through which to express his emotions, or perhaps Henry simply thinks purple works. Either way, it does work and the first portion of the collection proved that. Moving on from the extravagance of the various plays on purple the designer showed a gorgeously French predilection for sensual decadence in dress that went on to dominate in more ways than through colourway.
Leopard print, leather, lace, bold monochrome stripe – it was all there. At some points it represented a lot to handle, yes, but never too much, especially when Henry further explored the plays on dusty lavender in soft blouses and brought this in high on the waist with leather skirt and smart trousering. Chicness incarnate was the suit take on this, with a flood of lavender coming from turtle neck and the sloped shoulder of orchid jacket.
Though shooting off in a few separate directions with the shoulder-to-toe stripes, Henry delivered throughout. His styling choices for the cool-girl that he made Carven appear to previously and understanding of Nina Ricci as a brand with a little bit of harmless and flirty bawdiness and his abilities were matched well this season and presented French fashion in its purest most appealing form.
by Livia Feltham
Images courtesy of Nina Ricci