Givenchy: Riccardo Tisci

Givenchy Couture Autumn/Winter 2010. 

Slender build, a mysterious guise -- the 37-year old former Central Saint Martins graduate has spearheaded Givenchy since taking over Julian MacDonald at the helm in 2005. Italian born-and-bred (looks like we have a recurring theme) Riccardo Tisci has been gradually raking my attachment towards the Givenchy house, primarily for his dexterity in developing conceptual realms -- where the Givenchy girl could well be an extension of an extraterrestrial being or a pious Catholic saint, or even a sample of the modern, grunged-up streetstyle powerhouse. Every season his sartorial creations veer from one end of the spectrum to another, and to me the concoction of his unpredictability yet pared down by signature touches that scream Givenchy.. renders me aflutter before every showing.

 

Givenchy Resort 2011.

The best part of my devotion towards the creative genius is witnessing the ones suspect of his prematurely-judged talent morph into reviewers that end up waxing lyrical on his structured ideas and distinctive style. From the doom and gloom end of the color palette to making bleached-out whites his favorite, Tisci guards his audiences' anticipation with care. I love the softness that has seeped in through his collections throughout the years; alongside the interspersion of romance and piety in between. It feels like a needed growth, albeit unbeknownst to me if it is headed towards the mainstream -- but it's a nice change.

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Givenchy Spring/Summer 2012.

Not a month ago Riccardo Tisci was rumored to be shortlisted to replace the infamous John Galliano at Dior (you all know the story) along with Marc Jacobs, Haider Ackermann and the likes. With Suzy Menkes' reiteration that it will indeed be Marc Jacobs, a wave of relief undoubtedly hit me. Tisci, to me, is perfectly in place.

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