PARIS, Jul 5, 2004/ FW/ --- Monday afternoon at the Musée d’Art Moderne, London-based designer Ozwald Boateng entered the annals of fashion history when he presented the first ever Givenchy Homme collection on the runway.

Boateng, who was appointed Givenchy Homme Creative Director early this year, made Givenchy young and hip in a masterful collection, which is also his first one for the illustrious Paris fashion house.

On a runway paved with black sand, Boateng sent models wearing two-button, three-button and double-breasted suits in a very clipped pace to the upbeat sound of the James Bond 007 theme song, giving an impression that the Givenchy gentleman is someone who is always on the go and ready for anything that can come their way.

In homage to the house’s history, Ozwald Boateng also found time to design and update the daily wear jacket favored by a young George Peppard in the movie, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” wherein he played opposite Audrey Hepburn as the male lead character. The model who wore the jacket in red, matched with a very light yellow pair of pants and a kangol hat completing the ensemble looked very much the handsome and debonair George Peppard of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Backstage, when Ozwald Boateng was asked if he was dressing the male lead character of the historic movie, he said, “It’s about atmosphere and feeling of Givenchy, not a single person or character. If I’m going to dress a man for Givenchy, then I will dress Hubert de Givenchy himself, and not an ideal person.”

Boateng who is known for translating concepts into practical and beautiful garments in his own bespoke line, whose muse is history, rather than a person, real or imaginary hit it just right by capturing the ‘mood and ambiance’ of the house and not ‘copying or updating’ Hubert de Givenchy.

By delving into the house’s history, encapsulating its essence and then transforming it into slick looking suits, jackets and trench coats, Ozwald Boateng made the label his own without transgressing Hubert de Givenchy’s remarkable career.

And as if a masterful collection is not enough to satisfy Boateng’s quest for excellence, he broke new grounds in fashion by introducing a ‘double collar,’ the first layer being traditional while the second layer is a semi-detached flap that moves when the wearer moves.

The audience, understanding that they just witnessed fashion history in the making gave Ozwald Boateng a standing ovation when he took his bow at the end of the show.

Backstage, the first one who congratulated him was none other than Bernard Arnault and his wife Helene, followed by all the top executives of LVMH. During the expected photo ops, Mr. Arnault wore a big smile that reached to his eyes, probably because he knew that he has another winner in his hands!

Givenchy Homme by Ozwald Boateng

Givenchy Homme by Ozwald Boateng

Givenchy Homme by Ozwald Boateng

Givenchy Homme by Ozwald Boateng