Money kills art. I’m sorry to say this, but John Galliano’s talent has been killed under the pressure of commercial sale.
After the spring show, it is clear that CD is no longer an icon for the flamboyant, over the top trend in the fashion world. Nowadays, as many fashion editors pointed out in the last few reviews, CD becomes so unmemorable. Their clothes are no longer to-die-for-items and their bags are so hideous, save the Gaucho bag (but that shape is so overplayed lately that it is very irritating). There is, however, still one thing that the house should be proud of: their haute couture collection. But sadly, that kind of high art fashion is not for everyone.
For Spring and Summer next year, Mr. Galliano sent out a tribal influence collection. And because he is not obsessed with ethnic print like someone else (hello Frida), he decided to play with color and shape. I have to agree that most of the clothes from this collection are the toned down version of the haute couture collection, so kudos for John for that. But then, the color is so…i don’t even know how to describe it, but let just say it’s something that Barbie will wear to go on a weekend romantic get away with Kent. And then comes the shape. It is too young for CD older customers yet too historical for the new ones. As WWD pointed out, Carla Bruni will have a hard time finding something to wear for a political meeting (unless it is held close to a LGBT convention so she can use it as an excuse). And then, even Miley Cyrus will have problem pulling out the sheer dress with pom pom details.
Nowadays, CD is aiming more for commercial success than artistic achievement. Sadly, John Galliano is involved with all of these messes. So whoever at CD, please let Galliano do him jobs. Your sale figure might go down for a bit, but then your collections will be written down in the history book of fashion.
images via style.com
