Lacroix tones down for more wearable clothes

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — Christian Lacroix toned down his usual flamboyance in his autumn-winter collection on Wednesday, showing refined clothes which immediately looked more wearable than his cutting-edge couture.

He used a lighter hand on detail, so for once there were not too many things crying out for attention, and there was more overlap, with some fabrics and shapes emerging as clear favourites for next season.

A fine wool treated to look like wrinkled elephant skin was the first star on the catwalk. He used it for his opening number, a pure white winter coat with a dramatic upturned chalice neckline and outsize sleeves cropped at the elbow, the rest of the arm enveloped in a black feather gauntlet.

The same tactile textured fabric was turned into a...