An era rich in diverse cultural currents and sartorial styles, the 70s went from one extreme to another, from hippies to disco fans to the punks so aptly embodied by Dame Vivienne Westwood. Polka dots, stripes, sequins and bell-bottoms on the one hand; superimpositions and sometimes questionable color combinations on the other were the hallmarks of a decade marked by audacity and the advent of an emancipated woman.
For Spring Summer 2011, Dany Atrache draws on the wardrobe of those years to create a show of lightness and delicate transparency.
Long strapless gowns, deep-cut dresses and lots of ruffled petticoats follow one another in a Neo-Hippy chic style that would certainly not have displeased Farah Fawcett. The silhouette is elongated, bohemian yet terribly feminine.
Draping and embroidery add sophistication, while shoulders are revealed in a clever asymmetry. The slender waist is sometimes accentuated with a delicate belt or cleverly placed embroidery.
Materials include chiffon, gazar, organza, crepe and guipure. Fluid materials and draping blend perfectly, combining simplicity and sophistication. Lace and embroidery add a lingerie touch to a fresh, ultra-feminine collection where asymmetry remains very much in evidence.
Make-up remains natural, with a very light, powdery-pink complexion, giving pride of place to the eyes, subtly highlighted with a line of eyeliner. Hair is worn short or long, delicately adorned with a side braid.
Black and white, mingled with neutral tones such as taupe gray, powder pink and beige, are the order of the day for this collection, with just a hint of fresh apple green or a few touches of yellow. Gold and silver enhance rhinestone silhouettes.
The highlight of the show, the openwork crepe wedding dress, a sheath gown, is a true demonstration of the expertise of the embroidery workshops, all encrusted with tone-on-tone crystals with immense flowers in silk organza.
Although inspired by the many influences of the 70s, Lebanese couturier Dany Atrache’s Spring Summer 2011 couture collection is free of nostalgia. The silhouettes are modern and ultra-feminine, while at the same time recapturing the codes of the carefree 70s. Aware of the richness of his dual culture – French and Lebanese – Dany Atrache has succeeded in perfectly bringing together East and West, East and West.
Photo credits: © CHARISMA Fashion Photography
Marie-Odile Radom
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