On my return journey from Paris after the Spring/Summer 2011 catwalk shows in Paris, I bumped into Giles Deacon and his design team in the buffet car of the Eurostar. They were unwinding following his Ungaro debut and much merriment was occurring. Much of it involving a toy lamb. Some if it involving a jumper worn by Bistroteque co-founder David Waddington. (I recorded it on Twitter - see "Florence + the Sheep".) One of the highlights of this journey came when Florence (onboard with her stylist/friend Aldene Johnson) said "hi" to Giles, then in a whisper to Aldene (which I overheard) she sighed "My Paris is complete now." That made me think ahhhh what a doll. She is such a fashion fan, and gets excited about the shows and meeting designers, exactly what any other 24 year old fashion-fan would do. Just that she is well, Florence Welch. This happening made me feel really pleased for the fact she got to wear this most incredible Givenchy Haute Couture dress to the Grammy's last night. She didn't win a Grammy, but she had the best dress on by miles.
If meeting Giles set her pulse racing, imagine what wearing this did to her! That Florence posed to display both the intricate front-view and beautiful highly-worked back vista indicates she may be following instructions from Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci. At the presentation in Paris a few weeks ago the garment was displayed in still life, and photographed with both back view and front view - why? Beacuse hand-work of this nature is almost extinct in fashion, and needs to be shown, that's why.
"Long dress in nude stretch tulle embroidered in front with matt sequins in shades of pale beige and behind with vermillion coloured geometric hand cut sequins and glass tubes"
Photos: courtesy of Givenchy Couture