PARIS, Mar 10, 2004/ FW/ --- With the sounds of seagulls as background music and a beach populated by the abovementioned bird projected on the wall, young Belgian designer Bruno Pieters presented his Fall 2004 ready-to-wear collection which also marked his return to his couture roots.

Pieters who is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Antwerp worked under Christian Lacroix, the master of color and decoration, from whom the young designer learned the intricacies of couture.

And although the collection is actually ready-to-wear, elements of couture could easily be seen in the tulle incrustations on jersey tops and sweaters.

Departing from his former boss’ love of color, Bruno Pieters chose a black and white palette, which is truly understandable because as he put it in his press notes, the collection was inspired by Richard Bach’s 1970s bestseller, Jonathan Livingston Seagull.

In homage to the black and white birds, the collection was almosts bereft of color, except for the different shades of gray and blue between the black and white spectrums.

The collection entitled “Jonathane” is also the philosophical inspiration for the show, i.e. to always strive to be better. As Bruno Pieters put it, “this collection is dedicated to the real Jonathan Livingston Seagull who lives within us all,” written below a passage from the book.

And like the literary Jonathan Livingston Seagull who went into great heights in the book, Bruno Pieters is also on his way up.

The 1950s inspired loden coats and loosely knitted cardigans, the draped silk chiffon blouses, the handcrafted pleated miniskirts and the ruffled and layered day dresses are testaments to the young designers great design ability.

Black cat suits, overcoats with hoods and clear plastic galoshes worn over boots will fly off the shelves when they hit the stores come fall.

His elegant, sophisticated and intricate silhouette makes him one of Paris’ upcoming stars. Definitely a name to watch!

Bruno Pieters

Bruno Pieters

Bruno Pieters

Bruno Pieters