Christian Lacroix HC F/W 08.09 Paris

[Brighid]

Now I can say, that I really like this collection Vlada's bridal dress is awesome!

[JuiceMajor]

Mmmmm...they look good but better with less drama.

[hermetic]

same old, same old. I really don't see how this is any different from his previous hc collection... it's ok, I love Lacroix, but one would expect at least some moving, in any direction

[KKnardi]

PARIS: With embroidery crawling up a stockinged ankle, a carapace of encrusted wool and a chiffon dress in the iridescent blue-green of beetle wings, Christian Lacroix created his fantasy world outside the salon and in a garden of creepy-crawly delights.

The result was a fresh and just slightly eerie take on the Lacroix culture, as the familiar bows, flowers and painterly colors were infiltrated by insect life. Suddenly the lace that coyly covered half the face below wild spikes of hair seemed more like protective mesh. And the colors, when they splattered out after a passage of dark lace, they seemed pretty but also random and nature-gone-wild.

Yet essentially Lacroix's couture is always in the same spirit - an impenetrable mix of color, texture and historical styles, although it was only toward the end of the show, when an Infanta dress came out with a field of flowers on its shelf of a torso, that the designer brought out his theatrical side.

"Insects - and Vélasquez," said Lacroix behind the scarlet curtain of a backdrop. He was referring to a reflection of the Spanish painter in tooled leather, inflated sleeves and lush brocade and fur. Yet that deep richness was set off with simple silhouettes and by narrow dresses where only a trio of bows at the back or flowers at the neck added ornamentation.

Lacroix is prepping a photo exhibition for an art festival in his native Arles, in France, next week. Maybe trips to Provence had brought out the flora and fauna spirit of this winter collection, although the designer did create elegant patterned hosiery and plenty of those roomy coats with ballooning sleeves.

Showing for the second season at the Pompidou Center in Paris, Lacroix allowed the daylight to flood into the large area - symbolic of a couture spirit in which a take on the designer's original pouf dress was presented as salmon pink ruffles and a long gown was painted with poppies, making the collection seem not overwrought, but full of fresh air.
suzy menkes, iht.com

[june gloom]

It's nothing new for Lacroix, nor is it a different turn, but that doesn't make it any less beautiful or enjoyable. I quite enjoyed this collection.

[Miss Dalloway]

He so stepped up this season, its much darker and edgier and then as the collection progressed towards the end there were the signature mixes of colour on full lenght dresses, beautiful collection.

[KKnardi]

getty

[Royal-Galliano]

Originally Posted by dior_couture1245

...wow....I'm always so stunned by Lacroix's couture. Even though his aesthetic is "less is not more," it's so incredible how it never looks heavy...it always looks light as air and delicate as a blossom!

exactly! as it was said he does the same thing but its always fun to look at... which is true and so good i love him for being faithful to his style... theres no-one like him who makes exuberance so desirable...

about 5 gowns i really love. masterly play of colours.

[FogUponLA]

I agree with the comment that this is unoriginal, yet magical. I'm normally not a fan of Lacroix..because it does seem repetative. I feel as though if you lined up the past 3-4 collections, they'd all blend together as one. I actually liked this because it seemed to be a slightly watered down version of Lacroix. It still managed to be VERY Lacroix though.

[capt.charly]

nice collection !!
thanks for the pics everyone and thanks for the article KKnardi

[kd619da]

ugh i really hate this can't say it's disappointing because i never have high expectations for Lacroix

[junegloom]

It may be incredibly familiar but nevertheless, it's GORGEOUS.

[PetitLapinVegan]

It was truly an experience of a lifetime. My seat was beyond extraordinary... front row avec André, Hamish, Anna, Janet, Helen, Candy, Suzy, Cathy, Anne...

Anywho here are some photos for all you lovely tFSers! I also taped the entire show in hd, but I cannot seem to upload it from my camcorder at the moment. Désolé!

I apologize for some of the photos' sketchy quality...

Lots of love!

my snaps: Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2008-2009 in HQ

source: Julia Frakes, Paper Magazine

[elegantly_wasted]

I this show, it's my favourite thus far!

[Thew]

Thanks for the photos PetitLapinVegan!