CELINE: 2021-2022 Vision For Mesnswear

The two were very rebellious by nature and every time they would get bored their shop would change. In an interview, she even said that they once got “busted for under the scene publications for holding an indecent exhibition”. Vivienne was in court about four times after that and even faced jail time, but luckily she stopped “being so interested in it by then so she didn’t have to go”. A factor that helped their store immensely was that McLaren became the manager of the punk band ‘Sex Pistols’ which brought a lot of attention to their shop, since the band members wore their designs. Vivienne’s last relationship occurred in 1992, almost ten years after she and McLaren split. She remarried Andreas Kronthaler, her assistant. Today, he is her design partner.

As the punk movement faded, Vivienne Westwood did not fall behind. On the contrary, she always seemed to be one step ahead, dictating the industry. She had an inclination towards historical clothing, not only because of the fabric and styles but also the way the clothes were worn. In particular, she was enthralled with the clothes that were adorned by pirates. Vivienne thought that an interesting factor of working with historical costumes was the lust for change, especially since her work couldn't be imitated for a multitude of reasons. Vivienne Westwood confessed that the collection she was most proud of is Vive la Cocotte, as she had created a silhouette that no one had seen in that era. In an interview, she boldly stated that Chanel designs were very restricting, and only looked good on people shaped like “coat hangers”. Her creativity was not the only reason behind Vivienne Westwood's success. Her fresh perspective of fashion, her courage to vocalise it, and her determination to add a touch of uniqueness to all of her creations gained her fame and followers as people always want to see something new.

I think she is a great example of a successful woman who didn’t follow conventional rules and carved her name into the fashion industry forever. Vivienne Westwood’s story proves that you can change your life at any moment, if you are just willing to be courageous and take risks.

FASHION & DESIGN

CELINE: 2021 - 2022 Vision For Menswear

ADA - WRITER EMILIA & VEDANGINI - EDITORS

CELINE, formerly spelled CÉLINE, is a French luxury brand that was founded in 1945 by Céline Vipiana. This year, as a consequence of COVID-19, the company opted to present their newest Fall/Winter collection online at the Château de Chambord, a towering castle built in the early 1500s by patron of the arts King Francis I of France.

Titled Teen Knight Poem, the collection does not fail to impress and leaves the audience wanting more. A perfect balance is introduced through the contrast of modern casual fashion elements: leather jackets alongside beanies, and the feminine elegance added by jewelry and stunning turtlenecks. This, along with numerous other factors that have been meticulously planned, made this collection one of a kind. The location perfectly captured the ambience eluded by the clothes. Contrary to presupposition, the castle did not steal the spotlight, but rather facilitated the presentation of the collection, blending beautifully together. In addition to the serene setting, the fashion house chose to hold the show virtually, allowing the audience to experience a high-fashion event from the comfort of their home. Additionally, there were greater opportunities for creativity in the making of the presentations. The camera work was extraordinary, and the dramatic clips added to the immersion of the viewer. On an organisational and methodological plane, I believe CELINE did a wonderful job at making the best out of an unexpected situation and came through to present an unforgettable show.

Aside from the show itself, we must talk about the clothes on display. As mentioned before, avid fashion-lovers were incredibly lucky to get such a unique collection. Hedi Slimane, the creative director, took inspiration from the 90s Gothic era, and the French Renaissance, which might seem like an unexpected and dissonant combination to some. He was inspired by portraits of the court of Francois I and emphasized French luxury. The models wore clothes that referenced armour, but also the elegance of French clothing: embroidered leather and bomber jackets, oversized knits, studded knit helmet-beanies, metal-tip Chelsea boots, and beautiful jewelry. Models donned studded knights’ masks in ribbed wool as they paraded about the château’s battlements - their walk linking back to a knights’ one since it captured their bravery, dignity and decisiveness. Even in a different location, the show would have undoubtedly been a memorable one because of the exquisite designing of the clothes. As a verdict or recommendation, I believe that everyone should watch at least one fashion show, to understand the meaning behind the clothes and the decisions surrounding their make. From a personal viewpoint, CELINE produced an appealing collection that brought back the grace and refinement of the French Renaissance, but also made it modern by presenting it through a new perspective with the help of 1990s Goth fashion. Through this, we grant exposure to various trends and styles of clothing that were once forgotten.