Christian Lacroix: Still The Master of Color and Decoration
By Mari Davis

PARIS, Mar 8, 2004/ FW/ --- The École Nationale Supérieure Des Beaux-Arts hosted Christian Lacroix’s return to the Paris ready-to-wear season wherein he took a 2-year hiatus. And he came back with a bang, presenting both womenswear and menswear collection that have his signature style.

His haute couture show that historically features elegant frocks and gowns with over-the-top decoration is a testament to the French designer’s masterful skill in tailoring and cutting.

His Fall 2004 collection proved that his designs are commercial hits without giving up his artistry.

The designer who is also the Creative Director of Pucci in Milan has incorporated the knowledge he learned from the Italian house in creating commercially viable clothing, i.e. designing silhouettes which are less complicated and easier to wear in the fast paced world of ready-to-wear.

And as his wont, Christian Lacroix presented an eclectic collection with inspirations ranging from the colorful gypsy costumes to the swinging 1960s flower power children and graphic arts.

Trench coats made of microfiber seen in solid and plaid print, knee-length fur coats, and the long coats trimmed with fur are the best looks, and will surely fly off the shelves come fall.

Though the highlight is womenwear, it is the menswear collection, a new venture for the designer and the first time he showed them on the runway, was the one that caught the eye of the critics.

Though he only showed a few of them, it was easy to see that it has the designer’s signature style of richness and elegance.

Plaid coats and suits, grandfather tank tops and stripy knits, worn with a modern casual ease would great in an Ivy League campus onward to a progressive company in Redmond Washington.

Christian Lacroix even thought of the varsity jockey types with his hooded sweatshirts and silver sneakers.

With the sample he gave, it’s enough to whet the appetite of the fashion reviewers and make them wish that the designer decides to show during the Menswear season this coming July.

Christian Lacroix

Christian Lacroix

Christian Lacroix

Christian Lacroix