PARIS, Feb 25, 2007/ FW/ --- Fashion means sensibility, practicality, and a split second visual display of personality, ideas, and inner secrets only to be discovered if that display could tempt the viewer into wonder, curiosity, and exploration of the person presenting the clothing.

In the modern day world – urbanized and fast paced – this expression of the self can often be suppressed by necessity, expectations, certainty and reliability. It consists of a map of time, measurement, appointments, schedules, flights, and agendas.

This is the basis of the economically driven world especially in large urban centers such as London, New York, Tokyo, and Paris. One must dress to the occasion and for the upcoming winter weather which means trench coats, professional looking jackets, skirts and dresses made of sensible colours such as black, white, grey, navy blue.

John Ribbe gives a different twist to the urban setting by carefully placing extraordinary colours – in moderation – against colours and designs that are more conservative (e.g. the reliable black trench coat with a thick turquoise belt).

Ribbe uses belts and vibrant colours to exaggerate the waistline, working well to show off the slender figures on the runway while also blending a little splash of excitement with the necessity of conservative styles.

Elegance is not at all relevant in his work. His women must work in a fast paced environment. They must give an air of confidence and power. They must be tough and able to perform on the job.

On the other hand, Ribbe does well by matching colours with skin tones and hair colours playing lightly on the femininity of his models. The women came out on the runway saying “Hi, I’m not just a powerful working woman, but I’ve also got flare, spunk, personality, and most of all, edge.”

A split second visual decision is made by the viewer as to what this person is saying by what she wears. It is “Come find out more – but don’t try to mess with me or with what I am doing.”

John Ribbe

John Ribbe

John Ribbe

John Ribbe