Louis Féraud by Jean-Paul Knott: Wild & Chic
By Mari Davis
(Photos by Javier Mateo)
PARIS, Mar 16, 2003/ FW/ --- At Louis Féraud last Tuesday, everyone had a front-row seat! Using
benches as chairs to accomodate more people, there were three 'runways' about 24" wide.
The models
came out from three doors and instead of taking a turn on the stage, they went for the exit,
to come out again in one of the three runways, different from the first one they took.
The model had to walk the runways three times, one for each, hence giving everyone a front row
view!
Innovative seating to say the least. And it turned out to be a good move by the House of Féraud -
with retail buyers, press and clients busy taking notes during the show.
The collection was an explosion of glamour - from the hand-made passementerie and French ribbon
that adorn a crocheted sweater to the sporty fox ski parka with a sumptuous fur lining.
And though PETA might have been dismayed, Jean-Paul Knott sent lots of fur and leather - either
as a coat or jacket or just a trim.
Using black as his main color of choice - it came in different shades. From shiny black to matte
black, opaque black and solid black. Some of the black are jewel-toned purple and blues in disguise.
Jean-Paul Knott did not forget that it was fall though, when the brilliant colors are en vogue.
The Louis Féraud woman can dress up in different shades of red and yellow. She can choose from
tailored suits of tone-on-tone shades of red to purple silk tuxedos.
Pants are low-waisted and slim emphasizing the models svelte figures.
Dress and skirts also have a slim silhouette. Hemlines range from minis to assymetrical. They
are deliciously trimmed with buttons, chains and clips, giving the luxurious look of couture
but at ready-to-wear prices.
The accessories - big handbags which attaches to her belt of chains and shoes that
are adorned with lace - are part of the whole get up. It's about mixing and matching.
And the best part of the collection - almost everything can be worn right out of the runway.
Jean-Paul Knott continued Louis Féraud's legacy with this collection. But as the program
notes said, 'his approach is not to recycle the past, but rather to interpret the future.'
The aura of the collection might be Louis Féraud, but the silhouette is definitely Jean-Paul Knott.
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