'Unexpected Twists - John Galliano, Hermes, Chloe, Christian Lacroix', WWD, 10th October 2005
http://www.wwd.com/notavailable/archive?target=/search/article/101853=101853=A=search
Some designers surprised their audiences this season by doing everything from using a cast of Fellini-esque models to showing uncharacteristically subdued looks.
"Everybody's beautiful in their own way." John Galliano plopped copies of Ray Stevens' schmaltzy lyrics in the seats at his show on Saturday night. It's time to realize that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. That must mean a casting of all kinds of people, not just tall, skinny models - get it?
So out they came, all tricked up in campy carnival tawdriness, an older woman-oily stud pairing followed by a glamour girl and geezer sugar daddy; a Mr. And Mrs. Jack Sprat zaftig woman-skinny man set (if Jack were a sleazy circus aerialist); three sets of twins, including bros in sheer, do-note-the-family-jewel dresses' and on and on through odd -couple duets of glamazons, lesbians, cross-dressers, punks, pimps, waiters, soldiers and grand dames, ending with the bride and groom, both little people. The result was Fellini-esque sans the obvious empathy. It also lacked the lavish romance of past Galliano extravaganzas, including his Dior couture homeless collection.
Not that Galliano was making fun of his subjects; rather, it was tough to discern what exactly his point was. Still, many in the audience found it marvelous, seeing it as a welcome respite from two weeks of mostly boring European shows. Yet therein was the rub. For those neither captivated by the spectacle nor moved by the message (at least a few in the crowd took offense), the whole thing was a flop.
The clothes? Beautiful indeed. But in the midst of so much showmanship, they made for a mere sideshow to the main event.