GFF -- Ferre's Lighthearted Turn
By J. J. Martin
Photos by Gruber-FWD
Milan, Oct 1, 2002/ FWD/ --- Light and sweet, the Spring '03 GFF collection by Gianfranco
Ferre took a step away from the designer's usual penchant for all things strong and
structured.
Amidst a soundtrack of playful waltz-like music, bouncing, flowing, feminine pieces
earmarked Ferre's dabble in increased volume and non-precise tailoring techniques.
The result was pure springtime prettiness doused at times with a milk-maid innocence.
The designer's experimentation with volume was best wrought with skirt silhouettes rendered
in his signature black and white color palette.
His architecture, not to mention couture, background was in evidence, as skirts were
gathered, flounced, ballooned and reverse tucked.
There were many beautiful bottoms in voile, linen and organza, but the best ones came
in the opening sequence where gathered voile petticoats were tucked under skirts and paired
with slim-fitting long coats -- a look begging to be taken for a springtime stroll.
Ferre also caught on to the bedroom bug we've been seeing in London and New York this season.
A series of little black slips, which were sexy and barely there, were just right -- but
the masculine pajama looks are probably better kept under the covers.
The abrupt switch in gears from soft and sweet to a knee-jerking reverse move down '80s Lane,
was the one diversion in an otherwise coherent collection.
The succession of bold-colored horizontal jersey one-stripe pieces - some short shorts,
some loose pants, all with halter necks -- were actually sexy but out of place in this
graceful setting.
A quick recovery was made with a finale fit for a modern day fairy princess: black chiffon
multi-tiered pouf skirts, which were delicately anchored to the models' necks with thin
strands of black chiffon flowers.
With a humorous wink to whimsy, Ferre took his bow between rows of models in nothing save
for a pair of Grandpa's white boxers, decorated with a single black flower appliqué, and
large black inner tubes draped casually over their shoulders.
Ferre's version of the springtime dip.
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