Streetwear with a sophisticated edge and dresses dialed with house cues make a mark in Paris.
Matthew M Williams brought Givenchy to Paris Fashion Week last season, expressing his menswear with a luxury streetwear ideology. For today’s womenswear show, MMW took a decidedly different direction decked in sophistication.
To a soundtrack of classic songs — including likes of Fleetwood Mac’s “Everywhere” and Noise Addict’s “I Wish I Was Him” – fashion punters sat in a Parisian park just after a rain shower to witness MMW’s Spring/Summer 2023 womenswear collection for the house. With Ye in attendance — who later caused a media storm — as well Karlie Kloss, Amelia Gray, and Bella Hadid (the latter walking), it was set to be a big moment for the 1017 ALYX 9SM designer.
Indeed, MMW brought his concept of cocktailwear to Givenchy, with ostrich feathers (à la Valentino, 16ARLINGTON, Bottega Veneta) adorning white glove-equipped gowns. Elsewhere, others arrived in full black (another seasonal trend) with hooped hems and semi-boned uppers, detailed with MMW’s penchant for hardware.
Naturally, sporty undertones appeared — here, quite subtly. Laces worked stilettos, tiny bags were consistent, work pants and biker jackets and even cargo shorts all came alongside the elegance. Ultimately, the new collection brought together much of what MMW has performed at Givenchy for a number of seasons, and as a result, he has finally established his aesthetic for the house — one indebted to the world of luxury but still relevant in the contemporary world, achieved thanks to stylistic cues taken from his background in streetwear and an eye for the smaller details. Not everything has to scream and shout: tiny straps on dresses made from metal, minute crystal embellishments, G-shaped iconography on bags, the zippers on the gloves. It’s MMW’s concept of sophistication.
Take a look at Givenchy SS23 womenswear in the gallery above. More PFW SS23 content can be found across Hypebeast.