Counter Autumn ... Gucci FW2011-12

It is ubiquitous that the 70s (and the decades before) has left a deep impact in Frida Giannini’s life. Since the past few seasons, Giannini continuously drew her references from the era that many would laud as the “Golden Age of Fashion” in the 20^th century. From the shapes to the cuts and the colours, any Studio 54 (or Regine’s discotheque in some parts of the world including Malaysia) frequenters can recognise the pieces so easily, as what they used to have in their wardrobes back then.

For this season, Giannini made actor, former fashion model and one of the former muses of late designer Halston Anjelica Huston as her major point of reference. Drenched in archetypal Gucci glitz and glamour, the fall/winter 2011-12 collection show opened with a line of deep emerald-bluish tones outfits with lots of silky fur trimmings.

Yet, in the parade of furs, one halter neck gown with a slit on the skirt made its maiden appearance, as if it was giving the audience a brief hint to what they can expect at the last quarter of the show. As the last number of the green-blue troop — a long cap-sleeved dress with plunging neckline paired with leather shin boots and a scarf on the neck — made a U-turn on the runway, the show segued into a brighter and tad-summery mood.

Furs intact, the second half parade displayed a more interesting mix of pop culture, pre-war and Halston-ish nuances. The sight of the billowed long-sleeved dress with sash and plunging neckline would certainly remind one of model cum occasional actor Lauren Hutton during her heydays. On the other hand, the hot pink button front dress paired with a posh fur shrug and sateen ribbon-embellished fedora could easily evoke the inner diva of anyone who happens to sport it.

Nevertheless, the anticipation gets higher as the show approached the end and the evening pieces were the ones the audiences have been waiting for. As an antithesis to its previous sisters, the sensual yet liquid gowns were potent enough to bring Indian summer (or St. Martin’s summer if you live in Europe) to the cold and vapid winter of the fashion sphere. Sheer fabrics liquidly draped on the svelte bodies of Joan Smalls and Karmen Pedaru, while the intricate flower blossom shrugs enhanced the grandeur and the femininity of the looks.

What’s more, add in the riotous working palette of reds, bluish green and yellow — colours that are often favoured by fashionistas in this part of the world, regardless of seasons — and a hint of classic boldness culminated to a wave of grand applause and nods of approval from the satiated fashion crowd.

Gucci Fall/Winter 2011 ready-to-wear collection is available now at all Gucci boutiques and store-in-stores worldwide

*Photos by Monica Feudi/Feudiguaineri.com/Style.com

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