5) Chloe s/s 00. The collection really defined what Stella at Chloe was about, femininity with a twist. It featured floaty chiffon dresses, strippers embroidered onto tops, crystal chains, and masculine suiting all wrapped up in the quirky rock and roll attitude that Stella was so good at creating.
4) Christian Dior HC s/s 97. Galliano's debut at Dior was everything people expect from Galliano. It had the drama, the detail, the mix of different times and cultures.....and for the most part it was pretty wearable, for that income tax bracket anyway.
3) Alexander McQueen s/s 2004. McQueen at his creative best, this show was a perfect compromise between his fantasy and fashion reality. The clothes were a glamourous ode to the dance halls of the 30's, the presentation a sinister portrayal of the dance marathons of the era and the social class system. It had everything, beautiful clothes, entertaining presentation and McQueen's much beloved social commentary.
2) YSL Rive Gauche s/s 2003. It was so brilliant, the contrast of a very feminine silhouette complete with ruffled hems and flowered decolletes with the dark, moody, almost perverse imagery of the pre-war surrealist movement, and it single handedly made the nipple shocking once more...not to mention that it helped start the 40's themed trend that would be huge the next season.
1) Gucci, pretty much any season but f/w 2003 really sticks out in my mind. The clothes were dramatic, strong and sexy as always. But the entire show was so poetic, so beautiful to watch. In a time in the world when people needed some hope and a little bit of fantasy Gucci delivered. The inspiration was perfect (Blade Runner and looking at the past through a futuristic lense), the clothes were perfect (big collars, tight waists, long, narrow legs) the styling, the presentation.....all perfect.