Romeo Gigli: Asymmetrical & Multi-Cultural
By Godfrey Deeny
(Photos by Gruber-FWD)
PARIS, Mar 16, 2003/ FWD/ --- Romeo Gigli, a designer known for his rare ability to combine ethnic influences with modern style, stayed true to himself Tuesday in Paris with a clever show that skated across many cultures and centuries.
A large dose of China, a hint of Japan, touches of Scotland, echoes of mediaeval Europe and a considerable lack of symmetry were the big influences in this show.
Gigli’s fall/winter 2003 collection was staged in a darkened black oblong bow to a full house, made more impressive by the almost complete absence of American and British press -- they split for New York and London this morning.
Though known as a great colorist, Gigli’s first ten exits were all black except for Chinese
gold medallion prints and witty little red bows.
His unique, edgy cutting techniques were used skillfully on tops with off center zips, peg
leg pants with ankle vents and pageboy jackets.
Asymmetrical skirts and dresses in velvet, cashmere, silk and mohair exposed one leg and
covered most of the other.
Flat Highland dancer slippers and elongated ponyskin booties completed the designer’s
international ethnic look.
"The idea was clothes from many cultures, but created to make a look for a woman of the world.
It was like Virginia Woolf on Mars," said the ever-affable Romeo Gigli, though perhaps given
his strong Italian accent, he might just have said "on a march."
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