Of Queen's Guards and Her Mom .... John Galliano SS09

John Galliano’s show without all the (un)necessary dramas? That’s a joke right? Well, whether you want to believe it or not, the world-famous fashion enfant terrible has actually toned down his predilection for everything theatrical at his recent runway show.

While I generally don’t know whether Paris VOGUE’s Carine Roitfeld and her ilk were shocked by the toning down move, I must say that I was a little surprised by it. What’s more, most of the runway pieces that he created on the runway are absolutely wearable and saleable, compared to the previous ones where any girl or woman would have to think like thousand times to wear them on. What a revelation by John Galliano!

Influenced by the Queen’s guard (note that high and furry hat worn by Lily Donaldson at the show’s entrée), and late Queen’s mother, the entire spring/summer seemed to act like some sort of homage for Galliano’s British heritage and all things British. Opening the show is a perfectly tailored and cut skirt suit ensemble doused in Queen Guard’s red. Just take off that fancy hat off her head and voila, you got a decent daywear.

As the show moves on, models took off the high Guards’ hats and put on wigs in eccentric colors. Taking cue from the late Queen’s Mother wardrobe, the second batch of dresses combines the potent mix of chic 20’s (remember the Flapper days) with rich sequin detailing emblazoning the hemlines as well as lots of floral prints. The other best way to describe it would be a modern-day flapper meets classic English garden.

Incorporating the next best trend for next spring (sheer), Galliano made his skirts short and sheer then matched with off-shoulder ruched top either plain or with galore of flowery prints.

Moving further to the next quarter, more sheerness can be seen within the collection, creating a notion that Galliano’s spring/summer 2009 women are the audacious lot. But fret not, with the right choice of lingerie (hmm, La Perla or Victoria’s Secret perhaps?), that saucy look can be toned down into something safe.

However, if you still think sheerness is something too risky to put on, especially for us living in the East, then go for pieces in printed chiffon. Always a classic choice among rabid fashionistas, Galliano smartly imbues lots of feminineness into the lot, be it an alluring silhouette or the charming organic print that adorns the dresses itself.

And if my prediction goes right this time, I bet the breezy chiffon evening dresses will fly off the shelves in seconds’ right after being hung on the boutique racks everywhere!

John Galliano’s spring/summer 2009 ready-to-wear collection will be available at John Galliano flagship store and selected retailers worldwide early next year.

*Photos by Marcio Madeira for Style.com/VOGUE

John Galliano – 384-386, Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris; Club 21 Woman, 190 Orchard Boulevard. 01-02 Four Seasons Hotel, 248646 Singapore; Club 21 Woman, Erawan. 494 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwam, 10330 Bangkok.