Clare Waight Keller has been making waves in Western Europe this month with two remarkable collections that demonstrate her exceptional talent. Just days before her stunning couture show for Givenchy, she wowed audiences with a menswear collection inspired by the iconic Indian dandy, the Maharaja of Indore, who lived a lavish life in 1930s Europe.
For the Givenchy haute couture show, Waight Keller took inspiration from Sissinghurst, a famous English garden. The collection featured breathtaking floral designs that mirrored irises, pansies, and gypsophila. The show’s staging was a spectacle in itself, with 18 musicians from a chamber orchestra suspended above the catwalk, orchestrated by producer Villa Eugénie.
The historic setting of the Couvent des Cordeliers chapel provided a romantic backdrop as models showcased the collection that paid homage to Vita Sackville-West’s legendary garden at Sissinghurst. The colors and shapes of the collection echoed the beauty of each garden ‘room’ at the estate.
Standout pieces from the collection included Adut Akech’s white silk pants paired with a gray organza blouse and oversized fabric peonies, exhibiting the meticulous attention to detail and grandeur of the designs. Accessories like oversized organza hats shaped like giant petals added a whimsical touch.
Waight Keller drew inspiration from the relationship between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West, as well as her visits to Sissinghurst and exploration of Hubert’s archive. The collection was a tribute to the gardens’ beauty and the elegance of vintage millinery shapes.
In this collection, Waight Keller created a poetic and voluminous ode to Sissinghurst and Givenchy’s founder, Hubert. The show was a beautiful blend of romance, nostalgia, and artistic expression, showcasing Waight Keller’s unparalleled talent in the world of haute couture.
For more on Givenchy, visit their official website here.
To explore more about Vita Sackville-West and her gardens at Sissinghurst, check out the National Trust’s website here.
