PARIS, Sep 30, 2007/ FW/ --- In a high concept show tonight, Bernhard Willhelm presented his Spring / Summer 2008 collection via his favorite modus operandi, i.e., an installation that featured live models posing like store window mannequins.

Willhelm, who has a penchant for hiding his message by giving his audience eye candy while his real message is actually in plain sight, used wooden boxes in various stages of being opened as vitrine.

The models in various poses were encased in these wooden boxes like living dolls. Their make-up was in exaggerated white, every flesh that is exposed, be it the face, the legs or the arms are all covered in white, thus reminding one of the opening credits of the American TV show, Nip/ Tuck.

The reference to the U.S. did not end there. Most of the clothes were done in red, white and blue, the colors of the American flag. In fact, one of the models was garbed in the U.S. flag, with the blue and white stars as a cape that also covered her head, and the dress was in red & white stripes.

All the models were wearing gold boots with “Consumer Recycling Program” written on them, a clue that the German designer is also concerned about global warming. Perhaps, it is also his real message.

But we must not forget the clothes! It is Paris Fashion Week after all. And, it will not behoove us to look at what Bernhard Willhelm proposes for Spring / Summer 2008.

First, it’s the bright colors. As already mentioned, red, white and blue are very much present in this collection. Green and yellow were also present, proposed as solid colors or as part of a multi-colored plaid.

Leggings are ‘must have’! Recommended as ‘hole-y as in circular holes to multi-color striped knee socks, leggings become a ‘basic’ part of a woman’s wardrobe for Spring / Summer 2008 according to Bernhard Willhelm’s vision.

Dress lengths were harder to determined, but most of them were either minis or with asymmetrical hemlines. As for wearability, the clothes as they are presented will be very attractive to the alternative club kids. Perhaps, the more commercial ones are hanging in the showroom.

Remember, this is an installation wherein being coherent and being well-edited are very important factors. And for those two things, Bernhard Willhelm gets an A! It was a very strong presentation and was very consistent with the German designer’s blitzkrieg style when it comes to a fashion show.

Bernhard Willhelm

Bernhard Willhelm

Bernhard Willhelm

Bernhard Willhelm