Madama Butterfly

VSF profiles one of the most theatrical and beautiful couture shows from Spring 2007. In a collection that uniquely combined Japanese geisha with 1940’s glamour girl, John Galliano created a masterful ensemble that showed his fashion genius remains firmly intact.

Inspired by the love affair between American sailor Lieutenant B F Piankerton and geisha Cio-Cio San, the lead characters in Puccini’s opera “Madama Butterfly”, the collection merged Japanese culture with Dior’s ‘New Look’ from 1947. Kiminos, origami, cherry blossoms, paper lanterns, fans and parasols were uniquely intermingled with peplum suits, full-skirted dresses and platform shoes.

Intricate embroidery, beading and unusual artwork such as a wave print adorned garments and intense colours such as peacock blue, fire-engine red, imperial purple and hot pink blend with soft shades of buttercup, coral and the palest lilac.

Spectacular geisha hairdos and headdresses of lace parasols, paper lanterns, crystal cherry blossoms and bamboo peasant hats showed that Galliano has lost none of his theatrical élan. Even geisha sandals were given a couture-style makeover and re-worked with a 1940’s platform twist.

The show’s elaborate makeup superbly complemented Galliano’s vision of a modern-day geisha girl.

Every dress in this masterful and breathtaking collection is fashion artistry at it’s best (and some are actually very wearable sans the elaborate accessories). John Galliano has created a collection of theatrical beauty and craftsmanship that proves he is still well inside the fashion radar.

Style Post Script:
Model coup. One of Australia’s favourite catwalk models, Alexandra Agoston, is now gracing international catwalks and was selected for the show.