Hardly a soul in Paris puts on more of a theatrical spectacle than John Galliano, who last night showed a fashion fantasy for his signature collection that mixed rebellious schoolgirl uniforms, Queen Nefertiti tattooed bodysuits and Theda Bara bias-cut and draped gowns. Cleopatra wigs, bronzed makeup and a set that looked as if it were out of a movie all had the models walking like Egyptians.
The show began with naughty schoolgirl uniforms, navy, burgundy and mustard striped fitted jackets and micromini pleated skirts, white shirts, anklets and Manolo Blahnik mules. Short, tight gray flannel skirts and jackets with navy and mustard trim followed. Then fantastic gray flannel jackets with a star burst of pleats in the front were paired with micromini pleated skirts. And that about did it for day wear.
Linda Evangelista looked glorious in a tartan frock coat and pants encrusted with shiny gold buttons. Her exotic gold headpiece was a cobra head. The audience cheered wildly for Helena Christensen in a black bolero and pants encrusted with gold buttons, worn with a flippy black pleated skirt. Yasmeen Gauri wore a slinky gold bias-cut gown with two gold hands over her breasts. The entire show was an "only in Paris" fashion spectacular.