Mood board: Abandoning its hometown of Paris for the first time to show in New York City, Givenchy's appearance on this side of the pond had the Big Apple abuzz, and not just because of its expected celebrity following. In tribute to its September 11 time slot, the avant-garde fashion house enlisted Marina Abramović to create a runway show/performance that would do justice to the occasion.
Team work: With show time set for 6.30pm on the tragedy's 14th anniversary, Abramović, who has collaborated with Riccardo Tisci on other projects, designed an immersive experience focusing on ideas of love, peace and humility. Not only was the show staged in a remarkable set, constructed of recycled materials, it was built out on Pier 26 by the Hudson River, offering unfettered views of Lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center. As guests arrived, performers working with props including water and tree branches (symbols of cleansing and rebirth) set a tone of reverence and personal quiet throughout the sprawling set.
Scene setting: After sunset, the show began - itself a stunning tribute to the creative vision Tisci has cemented in his 10-year tenure at Givenchy. Over 80 models processed out in ethereal ensembles of lace, silk and embroidered chiffon, along with a capsule selection of its menswear S/S 2016 collection and a selection of otherworldly couture looks entitled 'Couture Essentials by Riccardo Tisci.' Set to live performances by six different ethnic musicians, the show created an air of spirituality and reverence that attendees may rarely experience again.
INFORMATION
Photography: Umberto Fratini, Jason Lloyd-Evans
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