Gothic Beauty: Gothic/Horror in Fashion

| Givenchy FW 2015 |

Was it a Gothic dream or a romantic ball? During Paris Fashion Week, Italian designer Riccardo Tisci pushed the masquerade theme to its paroxysm when he delivered Givenchy’s Fall/Winter 2015 Fashion Show. In a swirling dance around the glittered-red catwalk, Tisci delivered the new head-turning collection mingling ambiances, genres and genders.

Givenchy’s collections are often punctuated with references to sacred texts and passion with a slight touch of aristocratic atmosphere: all in all, the Fall/Winter 2015 menswear offering was no exception. Red blood, displayed all over the Persian patterns coats and short-sleeved shirts was a reminder of the East grandeur. Besides, the Italian make-up jewellery enhanced the wealth of the menswear collection.

This time, accessories definitely joined in the voodoo art, overthrowing the rest of the outfits. A small range of silver thorns dramatically sealed the models lips, long golden ties adorned black and red ensembles in a reminiscence of Tisci’s dark daydreams. In an uncanny game with shadowy make-up, the show was all about skulls, bones and crucifix. Glittering faux tattoos and dramatic pearl masks added a finishing decorative touch. Women with cherry lips walked along the stage, their long dresses adorned with delicate lace. For the love of the now famous Rottweiler teeth necklace, they seemed to be like grand duchesses forsaking their tiaras.

Once again, the Givenchy man was captured in-between streetwear influences and impeccable silhouettes. On the top of the head, two braids framed models’ face and plastered temples illustrated the double-sided personality of the modern men. Whilst he was animated by a wild passion, he remained peaceful in a world of dreams and dark fantasy.

Here I have selected a few of my favourites from the collection. I personally think theses are the most Gothic looks throughout the show. I think this is because of a collaboration of the garments and glitter horror make-up really makes my skin crawl in a beautiful way. You cant help but look at these creepy Givenchy looks without looking deep into the glitter and thinking its amazing, I think I'm in love. Now that's what you call Gothic horror.

I think this FW15 looks states Gothic horror in a unique fashionable way. From the black dresses to the red and black suits portrays the Gothic colour combination, including the fur (reminding me of death) to the jewellery. Each look has been made to look individual and is know as Tisci's dark daydream.

Backstage Photos:

Backstage after the show, people congratulated Pat McGrath as much as they did Tisci. It was a stunning feat of skill and creativity as some of the models’ faces were smeared and smudged into ghoulish characters, inspired by a mix of skulls, cultures and tribes. On the girls, flakes of paint coupled with crystals adorned their faces and bodies, as if to reflect a beauty in the decay of objects. The biggest feat was the face of a bejewelled creature, dripping with shells, rhinestones, metal discs and pearls, stuck directly on to the skin. She was an otherworldly being leading this eclectic crew. Like the show, there wasn’t anything uniform, symmetrical or even sensical about the make-up, which made it all the more breathtaking to witness.