NEW YORK, 1993. A time before Sex and the City and social media, and apparently, a year of inspiration for Givenchy’s artistic director, Clare Waight Keller. The year 1993 was a one of personal transition for Keller, marking the moment the young art school graduate moved from London to New York to become a designer for CK Calvin Klein. Now the artistic director of Parisian fashion house, Givenchy, Keller fuses the two cities for SS20. Aptly entitled NY Paris 1993, the old-world essence of Paris encounters the nineties urban streets of New York City this season.
As the heavy beat of Princess Nokia’s Tomboy thrummed through the speakers, models strutted down the maze-like runway in a series of looks that could only be inspired by the nineties. Distressed and acid-washed denim was the fabric of choice for skirts of varying length, ripped baggy jeans, and a particularly chic blazer dress featuring two-toned denim reminded the audience of the the best denim looks from the decade.
Jean cut-offs also had a moment down runway, paired with a sophisticatedly tailored blazer, office chic was paired with the urban streets throughout. Fitted corset tops with matching leather pencil skirts referenced the skin-baring style of the era, but under the eye of Keller, invoked the eye of feminine liberation instead of one of objectification.
Beautifully flowing dresses billowed at the sleeves, with their floral print and exaggerated bow details the boho dress was brought back, further enhancing the attitude of summertime lightness which remained at the heart of the collection.
by Mirabella Shahidullah