Paris: Nina Ricci Fall 2009 and a model-exec scandal

NINA RICCI Fall 2009. Photography by Peter Stigter
NINA RICCI Fall 2009. Photography by Peter Stigter

Now, really—was it sporting of the French police to pick fashion week as the time to start their crackdown on drug use in the Paris fashion and nightclub scene? The Paris season started off with, well, a bang, with the much buzzed-about charges laid against Bertrand Hennet, the chief executive of Elite World modeling agency with for possessing, buying and transporting cocaine. Mon dieu! A modeling executive with some disco dust! Quel shock.

Once I get over my surprise, I bust a fashion move down to the Tranoï trade show, one of several massive gatherings of goodies being held this week to take advantage of all the magpies in town. Alexis Bittar was there with stunning three-dimensional jewellery, including amazing sharp-edged statement earrings that could double as weapons and an adorable cuff topped with a massive sculpted ribbon shape. Dangerous. Girly. Parfait!

NINA RICCI Fall 2009. Photography by Peter Stigter
NINA RICCI Fall 2009. Photography by Peter Stigter

Later that evening the mood was somber at Nina Ricci, with everyone whispering: “Will this be his last show?” “This is definitely going to be his last show” of poor, darling Olivier Theyskens. Milla Jovovich and Anna Piaggi came to pay their last respects, but the shoes—absurd, eerie, C-shaped platforms so high, with itty bitty juttings for balance, that it seemed like the girls were walking on little ladders—almost stole the show. Otherwise, as funerals go, this one was downright stunning. Mad Max-esque cropped leather jackets had surprising architectural tails, pointy shoulders appeared in abundance (as if fending off the spectre of the guillotine hanging over the designer’s head, peut-etre?) and gorgeous, daring eveningwear: gowns with sculptural tiered ruffles—if that’s what you could even call the shapes that appeared to walk down the runway before the models themselves—and long, melancholy trains were Theyskens’ bittersweet swan song.

What did you think of the collection? Check out our slideshow below then tell us in the comments!

NINA RICCI  | ALL FALL 2009

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