Sarah Burton’s third Givenchy runway show represents her portrayal of the strengths of women today, with the opening note “How can we put ourselves back together in the world we’re living in”. The collection offered sartorial dark trouser suits to sensual colourful drape dresses.  

Trouser suits ranged from sharp manly silhouettes of double breasted jackets and baggy pants to more feminine styles with cinched in waists, peplums and enormous bows front and back.

Retro style frock coats were given a modern twist with contrasting stand up collars and seams pulled back to emphasise the waist. Ranging from the traditional knee length to the shorter contemporary hip length. 

Animal prints show off the wild side of the collection with furry coats, Hollywood glam bustier gown and sequin fringed mini dress.

Painterly themes and sculptural forms lean towards glimpses of Northern European old masters. The shredded flowered evening dresses and head-dresses conjured by Stephen Jones. “These headwraps are the most natural hair coverings there are. Just a T-shirt. Just a twist. But it’s the right T-shirt, with the right twist”, as he puts it.

Sculptural pieces add drama. Lace dresses with plunging necklines and stiff sculptured skirts. Red dresses and leather shirt are worn reversed with plunging backs and collars sweeping up at the front. Waists are cinched in with belts whilst skirts are slit to thigh high. From strict sartorial precision to sensual free-form drape, Givenchy acts as a multi-faceted mirror held up to the complexity of women’s lives.

Images courtesy of Givenchy and provided by pr agency KCD Worldwide.