From Montana (or anywhere with cowgirls and ranches) with love ... Hermès SS09

French fashion legend Jean-Paul Gaultier must have been overplaying his Shania Twain, Faith Hill or Dolly Parton CDs all over again. Or maybe he must have been watching those ol’ western movies back to back, which probably influenced his spring/summer 2009 collection for Hermès.

Witnessed by hundreds of Hermès fans and fashion media from around the world, Gaultier chose the ruggedness of untamed Montana wilderness up to the remote ranches in Taos, New Mexico (ermm, I guess Julia Roberts’ ranch included) as the background of his collection story. Not to mention further allusions taken from the twang-filled country music sung by Kenny Rogers and his ilk, as well as some good ol’ western flicks!

Fronted by two celebrated faces of the high-fashion worlds – Naomi Campbell and Stephanie Seymour, the show opened with lots of fringed pieces reflecting the traditional cowgirl or cowboy attires.

Veritably effortless, the pieces are soaked in traditional earthy colours such as brown, ochre, plus some other attractive hues with feminine cutting. To evoke true western mood, a bunch of cacti were placed on the runway.

Being a part of Hermès celebrated age-old tradition; alligator hides were also included in the making of the collection. Supple and ageless, the exotic hides were reincarnated into a variety of forms.

There is a tailored jacket in polished alligator skin in burnish brown, paired with a dark chocolate alligator vest that looks ultimately masculine. For accoutrement to match the ensemble is a finely craft trunk made entirely of alligator.

Since no cowgirls or cowboys’ style would be complete without that gallon hat, Gaultier has included them in a variety of styles but not as big as the original ones. For footwear, Gaultier borrowed a little bit of Native American influence and adapts it onto the vamps of his sandals. So intricate, the vamps are fashioned to mimic tribal motif that perhaps, used by the Native American shamans during their renowned healing technique.

However, if you think cowgirl style is all about tailored pieces, girl you’re so wrong. Again, borrowing the Native American tribal influence, Gaultier created a beautiful sleeveless shirtdress that fits for a princess.

Boasting a mass of colour blocks from up down to the elongated hems, the shirtdress also mirrors a beautiful mix between supreme beauties of female gauchos who roamed the South American pampas and tribal allure. Also treated in the same treatment are must-have one shoulder dresses.

Hermès spring/summer 2009 collection will be available exclusively to all Hermès boutiques worldwide starting early next year.

*Photos by Alessandro Lucioni for Style.com/VOGUE

Hermès – Lot 2.27.01, 2.27.08, and 3.29.00, Pavilion KL, 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur; G38, Ground Level, Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.