French couturier Alexis Mabille recently unveiled his autumn/winter 2021/2022 couture collection entitled “Femme-Fleur,” which exudes vibrant hues and intricate designs that mimic the elegance and beauty of blooming flowers. Mabille’s vision was to transform his models into living, breathing flowers by utilizing luxurious materials such as silk Casimir and exuberant tulle skirts to create realistic, flowing petals.
The collection made its debut in Galerie Vivienne, a cultural hotspot in Paris, where Mabille spoke to Fashion Network about his inspiration and artistic process. He explained that his objective was to seamlessly merge the woman and the flower, integrating floral elements into the very fabric of the designs. Mabille’s focus on creating volume resulted in the creation of dresses that resemble delicate petals, with movements mimicking the graceful motion of flowers in bloom.
The range showcased an array of eye-catching looks, including a white silk Casimir mini dress that represents a bouquet of tulips, a shirt with transparent sleeves adorned with sequins and embroidered flowers, and a sleek black crepe maxi skirt. Notably, Mabille embellished a sequinned jumpsuit and a satin tuxedo with roses, adding an extra touch of elegance to the collection. Dramatic oversized headdresses resembling budding flowers added a theatrical and romantic element to the ensembles. Another standout piece was a strapless yellow satin dress embellished with intricate garden trellis embroidery, making it the perfect choice for glamorous red carpet events.
Mabille aimed to infuse his collection with a sense of fulfillment and rejuvenation, reflecting the current global circumstances in an elegant and understated manner. The color palette encompassed delicate shades of green and yellow as well as turquoise, pink, deep scarlet red, and a unique bluish-purple hue. These vibrant colors were reminiscent of bouquets bursting with vividly colored flowers, capturing the essence of a winter garden.
The collection not only showcased Mabille’s mastery of architectural constructions but also offered unparalleled versatility with its gradient-colored tulle layers. The pieces were carefully designed to be mixed and matched, providing endless possibilities for the wearer. The voluminous capes could even be transformed into skirts and layered over form-fitting sequinned bodysuits.
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, Mabille’s loyal customer base continued to support the brand, recognizing the value of his creations as wearable works of art. While the demand from occasional buyers for events or weddings decreased, the impact was not catastrophic due to varying levels of restrictions in different countries.
Mabille’s floral-infused collection serves as a much-needed antidote to these trying times, injecting a burst of color and joy into the fashion industry. By embracing the resilience and beauty of blooming flowers, Mabille’s couture collection offers a sense of optimism and renewal, both to the fashion world and its devoted customers.
Relevant links:
– Alexis Mabille Official Website
– Vogue: Alexis Mabille Spring/Summer 2022 Couture Collection
