Bangalore
Haute Couture Fall-Winter 1996, Passion indienne collection
For his last Haute Couture show, Gianfranco Ferré presented a collection entitled Passion indienne. It was inspired by the colors and treasures of India and paid tribute to the many trips the couturier had made there during the 1970s. For him, it was an odyssey of colors which demonstrated his love for an imaginary East where all excesses were permitted.
From East to West, this collection brought together the geometry and classicism of French couture and the traditional flamboyant colours adorned with golden embroidery from India.
India was already a source of inspiration in Christian Dior’s creations. The Himalaya, Chandernagor, Lahore and Bénarès pieces bore witness to an imagined East, and his successors continued to draw inspiration from it.
The Bangalore suit was a perfect combination of Gianfranco Ferré’s different sources of inspiration. He followed the codes and construction of an Haute Couture suit. The silk jacquard, with patterns reminiscent of traditional Indian fabrics, was selected in shades of rosewood, almond, and royal red, and enhanced with golden thread.
During the fashion show, it was also accessorized with a light veil draped around the head, reminiscent of a sari, as were several other models in this collection which was influenced by traditional Indian clothing.
© Laziz Hamani ; Guy Marineau ; © Association Willy Maywald/ADAGP, Paris 2022 ; © All rights reserved
