Technically Fashion ... Lanvin F/W 08-09

I never was a fan of Alber Elbaz and Lanvin when I started fashion blogging and writing. In fact, I was even stunned to learn that the meek and stout Elbaz, with his wholeseome cabbage button patch cuteness and the bow tie was admitted to the compulsory National Military Service training in Israel during his younger days!

But somehow, his previous spring/summer collection got me enamoured when he previewed it to the fashion crowd in Paris last year. Oh, how can’t I detest those billowy long gowns with long ruffled trains in bright yet exciting colours? And not to forget, all the intense volumes and detail intricacies such as tiers, ruffles, and exotic plumes that he poured into Lanvin collections to make them worth wearing every moment of the day. What a genius!

This fall, Elbaz is set to make all eyes on him and Lanvin again with the upcoming fall/winter ready-to-wear collection. Dappled in the usual colours of fall and winter (think of black, grey, and some nude skin tints), Elbaz started creating his creations with threads instead of the fabrics itself.

Though the technically-driven process (thanks to his tertiary education background at Shenkar College of Engineering and Design) could be goddamn painstaking experience for some, but the outcome was splendidly breathtaking and filled with love and passion.

Opening the show, which was attended by a bevy of stars including Jessica Alba and Milla Jovovich, was a bodycon black dress with long sleeves and above knee hem.

Sporting a short funnel neck, the dress, which looks perfect for a chilly autumn day, is beautifully adorned with minimalist silvery cuffs as accessories. Taking the Lanvin stage as well were one-shoulder dresses sans Greek goddess approach but sports short and sexy hemlines.

But being a man known for the most elaborate details on his designs, one can expect towards a selection of fine and complex detailing that would require ages to get them perfectly complete.

For example, a black off-shoulder dress features detailed scalloping works on the front while fabric ribbon strips were carefully sewn on top of each other to create a stunning straight dress with asymmetrical neck.

As the show went on further, guests can’t stop marvelling and praising his works that graced the runway.

More sense of chic-ness prevails on the catwalk with finely detailed ensembles of jackets and short pencil skirts in midnight blue, a Chanel-esque grosgrain ribbon top with funnel neck worn with black tulip skirt (perfect for working wear for stylish working ladies), and a multi-tiered bodycon toga dress with twisted wide shoulder strap on left.

Though gone were the candy-coloured gown billowy skirts, Elbaz’s eveningwears are what every woman must at least beg, borrow, or steal if she can’t own it.

Once again, incorporating bold and elaborate detailing, Elbaz adds a touch of his style trademark – bow – into one of his evening creations, which is (again), the one-shoulder mini-dress with large bow details on the right shoulder. Another midnight blue satin mini dress also sports the same amount of intricacy with ruffled details on the bodice.

But as the show came to a finale, more and more stunning evening pieces were unveiled. Theatrical is the name of the game and the crowd were taken aback by the audacious lineup made of heavily sequined cropped bolero worn over a long-sleeve top and black leggings, glittery patent dresses with one sporting large puff on the bodice, and flapper-inspired short dress with short tweed sleeves.

Apart from that, there’s also a black mini dress adorned with petal-like fabric ruffles that’s purely dramatic and undisputable.

Lanvin’s fall/winter 2008 collection will be available at all Lanvin boutiques and selected multi-brand retailers worldwide this fall.

*Photos by Marcio Madeira for Style.com/VOGUE

Lanvin at TriBeCa – 101C, First Floor, Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.