John Galliano is not someone I care to discuss. Although he is lauded as a genius designer, only just below Alexander McQueen in standing, I cannot take the person out of the clothes. However, because I consider Zara a legitimate player in the fashion business, I will weigh in on the collaboration.
There are really two ways to see the collection. First is the look book as photographed by Steven Meisel. The raggedy misfits reminded me of nothing so much as a Ken Russell film—the asylum scene in "The Music Lovers" or if he had directed "Les Miz". The wasted vagrants with purple lips and zombie eyes are the stuff of nightmares. Clothes are piled upon clothes. The models look like they are going through a cranky adolescence,
You want me to pick up the clothes in my room? I'll show you; I'll wear them all.Once everything is off the form and photographed paper doll style against white, things start to make sense. But there are unremarkable sweaters (let's do like the Brits and call them jumpers), various button downs and a tuxedo jacket I've seen a million times before. Consider them a cheat-sheet, if you want: "How to Dress Galliano X Zara With What You Already Own." There are a number of items no one in her right mind would ever wear (a bra with hanging...leash?) and a smattering of the attractive, interesting and creative that you might.
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| Audrey meets Miss Haversham |
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| Trashy... |
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| Gesundheit! |
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| Seen that before... |
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| Which end is up? |
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| For the invisible man..or woman |
Prices? Well, less than couture, that's for sure. That sweet black lace and mesh dress is $759. The trash bag purse, $459. Miss Haversham's hanky, $459. All too familiar tux, $459. Bondage brassiere, $169. The cheapest thing seems to be a shirt collar for $79.90, keep the change.
