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Maria Grachvogel: Subtly Provocative
Written by: Sasha Wilkins
Photos by: Gruber-FWD
London, Sep 19, 2001/ FWD/ --- After a day of shows ranging from bland to downright ugly, Maria Grachvogel
gave London the kind of fashion show that makes grown men blush.
At a decadent nineteenth-century ballroom in Mayfair, Grachvogel sent out a parade of provocative pastel
pieces. With rouged cheeks, and tumbling curls, the eleven models played the part of naughty Lolita for an
amused audience.
With a color palette ranging from pistachio and aqua to antique rose and lilac, the clothes could have come
straight from the boudoir. Chiffon, lace, corsets, roses, and ruffles were everywhere. Fortunately, Grachvogel
kept the lines simple and avoided submerging her models in a sea of froth.
Flirty chiffon skirts, and sexy lace dresses gave way to pin-up girl shorts teamed with flamenco-sleeved jackets,
and eminently wearable brocade coats. Corsets appeared on a regular basis, giving structure to what would
otherwise have been one floaty dress too many.
Not especially fashion-forward, these were the kind of subtly provocative clothes that focus attention on the
wearer, instead of the dress. Expect to see pieces from this collection on the backs of several of her famous
clients, who include Drew Barrymore, Anna Friel, and Victoria Beckham, come this autumn's round of parties and
premieres.
Several of London's inveterate partygoers graced the front row, including Sunday Times columnist Lady
Victoria Hervey, and Posh Spice's little sister, Louise Adams.
Blonde siren Karen Mulder closed the show in a spectacular pale pink mini ball dress, which, harking back to
Christian Lacroix's mini-crinolines of the 1980s, provided the perfect high fashion antidote.
Maria Grachvogel Fashion
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