If you were one of the many fans of the old Givenchy’s religion theme, then you will be happy to hear there is an upcoming future collection along the way.
Givenchy’s menswear show in Paris for Spring Summer 2016 menswear was a pleaser, in many senses. It features the distinct iconography that many of the cult fans were looking forward to, mainly thought provoking and menacing prints. The latest collection shares significant fragments with its antecedent and much anticipated Givenchy Spring Summer 2013 Madonna menswear and the earlier pioneered Givenchy Fall Winter 2010 Altar menswear, both former collections that places religion at the limelight while connecting several elements with the label’s latest style direction — namely pinstripes that derived from the recent Givenchy Pre-Spring 2016 menswear. Addition to this, was a whole new five pointed star monogram motif that incorporates the designer’s brand name embedded in a structural arrangement, it was a divine.
This season Riccardo Tisci revisits his religious bent, an iconography signature administered since the beginning of his career at Givenchy. The creative director opened the show with models and celebrities strutting the runway in a relentless place. Hefty religious references advocating Tisci’s Catholic roots and prison-like ensembles of the latest incarnation made up the menswear collection. Taking inspiration for this season was Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity was surrounded by barbed wire taken from the ‘Crown of Thorns’ which was induced across an array of looks. The religious iconography continued not limited to oversize prints but some were even plastered in pin-ups cross variants as though they were taken off a scrapbook. Mostly portraits looks were scattered in trademark colours of black, white and navy along with pinstriped on many imaginable garments.
Perhaps the most intriguing and questionable subject in the biblical Givenchy Spring Summer 2016 menswear was the numbers 19520 in convict bold lettering over the Jesus imagery. While these numbers certainly do not appeal through first observation or conclude a direct interpretation even after Googling. A theory of its implication could be speculate by adding up the existing numbers which aggregates to number 35. By perchance, the significance could be correlated to one of the Bible notes for John 11:35 “Jesus Wept”, is the shortest verse in the Bible and one of the most emotional.
It’s not uncommon to see how designers have a tendency to weave womenswear pre-collections into menswear shows. Givenchy has been leading such trends as early in 2013 and it also shouldn’t be a surprise to find celebrities taking the latest collections onto the runway itself. Tisci handpicked some of his favorite girls to grace alongside the boys which has been hyped during the post event. Kendell Jenner, Joan Smalls, and Candice Swanepoel were in couture gowns adorned with feathery, petal, fringed, and lacey dress in a range of soft cool pastels colours, they were some of the odd contrast set against the religious prisoner theme. However, the most exciting celebrity modelling stage was when Naomi Campbell closed the show with nothing more than a chain-glittered blazer over a black skimpy bikini which made a memorable moment for the show.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
For aspirational cult fans, statement accessories are the way to go with the collection’s symbolic oversize key ring necklace featured dangling around the model’s necks. This distinctive jewellery represents a dramatic expression that is well-established with Tisci’s thought provoking style direction which may deliver the most value out of one’s investment.
For all one knows, the Givenchy Jesus Crown of Thorns Print Columbian-Fit Polo Shirt is perhaps set to be one of the most fast moving pieces when it hits the retail stores due to its large sheer presence print that gives off a menacing approach with the five pointed stars trademark element. Expected retail is around $1,300 much like the recent Givenchy Gypsophila Print Columbian-Fit Polo Shirt, nonetheless prices may fluctuate in the near future. The Givenchy Jesus Crown of Thorns Print Columbian-Fit Polo Shirt features the infamous Crown of Thorns detailing set against the edge of the polo’s silhouette, a cross reference from the ever-popular and still in demand Givenchy Shark & Mermaid Print Columbian-Fit T-Shirt that has chain detailing as the earlier settlement.
In terms experimentation, the Givenchy Jesus Print Patched PVC Sweatshirt is an interesting option to explore. This unique sweatshirt is made out of a flexible PVC material replacing the traditional cotton fabric featuring Jesus imagery in random patches, but it simply feels out of depth and substandard compared to the sheer fabric overlay sweaters and t-shirts.
Mini cross lapel pins are a novelty feature amongst sharply tailored suits and coats that made up the building blocks for this Givenchy Spring Summer 2016 menswear collection. While boxy cut silhouettes are at an abundance in pinstriped movements found particularly on short-sleeves cotton shirts and oversize shorts. Footwear wise, the designer has left us with a T-bar sandals and exposed cap-toe slits on casual leather shoes, personally I think they are really hideous as compared to what has been offered in the past. Lastly but not least, for those who can reach into deep pockets may be privilege to experience one of the most prominent pieces such as the Givenchy Pinstriped Chain Embellished Suits or outlined jackets and coats.
GIVENCHY SPRING SUMMER 2016 MENSWEAR
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