Poshbot

Chanel Iman for John Galliano Fall 2008 at Paris Fashion Week

More than any other designer, John Galliano has a flair for the dramatic. His runway shows aren’t so much fashion shows as theatrical productions. Yet, he rides the line and manages not to make his clothes stray into the area of costuming.

For F/W ‘08, Galliano is one of the few designers in love with color — not just print — full on Technicolor dreamscapes. His clothes were wonderful explosions of juicy orange, rich reds and vibrant shades of blue.

He hit the ’20’s and 30’s with flapper-inspired dresses including a midnight blue creation with a full skirt of feathers. So gorg! Models were often topped with glorious feather headpieces and oversized knit hats. It was all wonderfully crazed Galliano, but also absolutely wearable.

One thing I hope John Galliano isn’t trying to bring back is Hammer pants because I will resist him with every fiber of my being.

Do you adore Dior? If you do, Spring 2008 will see you in ‘30’s mobster suits, barely there lingerie, and…shoulder pads? Yes, several of Galliano’s feminine suits featured shoulder pads that sloped off at an almost ninety degree angle.

Some of the looks were a bit mature for my tastes, which may be Galliano playing to Dior’s grande dame base. The pink shell paired with an ankle-length silk skirt is a perfectly sophisticated evening look, but certainly not meant for the Galliano Girls in the audience. Even some of the lingerie seemed as if it came out of the closet of a cougar. I loved the leopard tap pants, who’s styling with bowler hats tipped over khol rimmed eyes gave it a Moulin Rouge feel, but I can pass on a black floor-skimming nightie that left too little to the imagination. There’s also a red Dior gown that I’m sure will show up on a red carpet somewhere. Most of all, I’m a fan of tailored looks and Galliano’s pinstripe suiting was spot-on.