1997 Fashion Big Bang, Palais Galliera

 

Where were you in 1997? I was laid up with a fractured ankle in Astoria. I’d fallen on a footpath in Montepulciano. I remember the adorable doctore in Florence hospitale who either put on or took off my cast. I remember the snazzy red wheelchair in the Milano airport bypassing customs when heading home. I remember being stuck inside reading New Yorker magazines on the couch, waiting for my ankle to heal and looking out the window with longing at the corner candy store. TMI

Meanwhile in 1997 in Paris, the ‘Big Bang’ was going on. A plethora of 38 important designers were taking the helm in various haute couture houses

And soon to change everything we knew about fashion back then. January 19, 1997 Alexander McQueen showed his first collection 

For Givenchy,WATCH:’Search for the Golden Fleece’. Bonjour Naomi

Yogi Yamamoto showed this fabulous retro silhouette in Paris in 1997.

Tom Ford showed a sexy, sensual collection for Gucci in Paris.

Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons’s new collection, ‘Body meets dress, Dress Meets Body’ was shown in Paris,

Testing out “experimental clothing for everyone, a sort of mental liberation.” she called it.

Innovative dance choreographer, Merce Cunningham found these distorted body shapes perfect for his modern dance piece, WATCH: Scenario.

John Galliano’s first collection for Christian Dior was on 28 January 1997. *Video screens are set up so you can watch the original runway show.

22 January, 1997 new designer, Thierry Mugler 

WATCH: ‘Insects’ collection.

The opening of Colette Concept Store 18 March, 1997 showed the first ‘baskets’, running shoes, sneakers 👟 in Paris. Who knew how much they would catch on?

Who knew how much that brilliant, creative store would be missed? What a sad day when Colette closed its doors 20 December, 2017. *Note everyone is wearing ‘baskets’ 20 years later. 

It’s a YSL chain store now 

For Fall McQueen showed 

WATCH: ‘Elect Dissect’ collection influenced by the Frankenstein story.

Designer Christian Lacroix, originally from Arles, 

WATCH: sumptuous collection 

Influenced by Provençale santons.

You get the picture. An important, seminal fashion show not to be missed at the always grand Palais Galliera, on until 16 July.

I saw plenty of leopard 🐆 on show attendees and everywhere in Paris. I went looking yesterday.

Remember this PINK dress? It’s back to haunt us.

Pink in all shades is in Paris streets.

Post-show I popped into nearby très chic Cedric Lignac, of the famous black and grey gateaux, for a snack…just madeleines.

                        What were you up to in 1997?

                      👉Do remember to pop into my shop👍😊 

Seen yesterday, whilst browsing for fashionistas on rue de Rivoli this mec in Louboutins. Look closely👉 

Today a few Paris marathon stragglers…