Creative director of Gucci, Alessandro Michele, is not afraid of it. Although some of his extravagant deeds harvest heaps of criticism, he does not plan to change anything. On the contrary! The Cruise 2019 collection combines colours and materials perhaps more than ever before and he moreover decided to hold the luxurious show at a very unusual place - a large Roman burial site Alyscamps located behind the city walls of the town of Arles in France.
The Gucci fashion show started after dusk and has been shrouded by mysticism from the beginning to the end. It has been accompanied by mysterious, Gothic music, mist and smoke, together with raging fires. The guests were sitting in the middle of large stone ruins and watched the models who showcased luxury clothing of all variations.
The luxurious Cruise 2019 show offered everything - you name it. Striking, bold patterns in the form of flowers, checks, stripes and geometric shapes, decoration in the form of transparent fabrics, lace, Victorian frills or accessories - sunglasses, handbags and jewellery including thematic crosses.
And which novelty pieces did Gucci prepare? Among other things tweed suits, stylish maxi and mini dresses, elegant fur coats and jackets, trendy skirts or overalls.
Stockings have become an integral part of most outfits from the Cruise 2019 collection. According to Gucci, it is a must-have piece that should certainly not be missed out of any catwalk, or wardrobe. You best reach for neon and vibrant colours in combination with lace. So hurray for colours, the approaching summer calls for it!
The cemetery parade of Gucci just confirmed my belief that we have probably reached a stage where we can dress up blindfolded, and yet defend it that Gucci does it, too! When looking at the endless range of crazy looking models I tried to be objective and not be too affected by the mad makeup as from a mental institution. That is why in my mind I have chopped their heads off right at the start. Well, after all, we were at a cemetery!
I then I considered that I would not have worn anything from the collection anyway, at any cost. For example the terrible shapeless leather jacket with huge buttons and pronounced "Gucci” stripes: the last time something similar could be seen in a document about the Velvet Revolution. Or should I perhaps go out in that mustard business suit with leather jacket, pink stockings and red gloves?! No chance – ever.
Luckily I found at least two or three models which were worth it. The first one is an almost completely transparent black dress with a veil and gold embroidery. For a VAMP woman it was ideal. Then there is the emerald green silk dress with grey-blue-white fur coat - apart from the model that looks like a sun-bed brownie - in my view a superb effort. And the last dress, which I will mention is the white one, covered by ostrich feathers. Certainly an interesting gown for a vampire ball somewhere...