Andrew Gn: Bourgeois Chic
By Mari Davis
(Photo by Javier Mateo)
PARIS, Oct 7, 2003/ FW/ --- French actress Catherine Deneuve, who was once voted as the most beautiful woman in the world, inspired Andrew Gn’s Spring / Summer 2004 collection.
“In such films as “Belle de Jour” and ‘La Sirene du Mississippi,’ the legendary actress exemplified bourgeois polish – with an undercurrent of sexual intrigue,” wrote the designer on his show notes.
So, to the tune of ‘It’s Time For Sex With Strangers,’ remixed with rock & roll and techno music, Andrew Gn sent an alluring collection, a worthy follow up of his romantic Fall 2003 collection shown last season.
Starting with the opening outfit of chalk white cotton pique coatdress with topstitched satin details and jeweled buttons to the finale of a canary yellow draped silk georgette halter dress with jade-jeweled bib and belt, the designer wowed his audience who included Nadja Swarovski and Catherine Girard sitting at the front row.
These two ladies, who are fashion powerhouses in their own right, were both wearing Andrew Gn creations, proving that they are fans of the emerging designer. And judging from the nods and smiles that they give the models as they passed by, both Ms. Swarovksi and Ms. Girard approved the collection.
So, what were the pieces that caught their discerning eyes?
There is a lot to choose from, but of course, there are standouts even in a very strong collection like this.
The black polo shirt with embroidered polka dots, with white pique collar and cuffs, matched with a poppy linen full skirt with hydrangea embroidery.
Though the combination sounds disconcerting when said out loud, the real McCoy really looks delectable.
To use a new word in the newly released Merriam-Webster dictionary, it is bootylicious.
The real attraction in this collection is the wide use of embroidery. Though it is an old art, and usually associated with grandmas goings to church during the 1950s and early 1960s,
Andrew Gn reworked and revitalized the look, making it look young and fresh.
And instead of wearing the clothes to church, it is now the look to be in when going out to lunch, dinner or a night out in town.
This is where Andrew Gn’s genius lay. The designer has an uncanny ability to see through ‘old things,’ and like a curator, he can take out the ‘best’ from it and incorporate it into a modern look, in turn making it fresh and crisp for a new generation to enjoy.
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