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Philip Treacy: The Art of Fashion
Written by: Godfrey Deeny
Photos by: Gruber-FWD
Click on image to see bigger photo.
Paris, Jul 10, 2001/ FWD/ --- That hoary old question, can fashion ever be art, was called to mind at
Philip Treacy's haute couture show Tuesday in Paris. Treacy is an artist par excellence.
Cannily staged and strikingly inventive, his beautiful hat collection provoked a sort of dreamy sense of
grace and good fortune. Halfway down the runway his models halted and pirouetted on a disc, under tight
long beams of light, as the dramatic orchestral music created a sense of pathos.
Treacy's hats of satins, sinomay, hand-curled feathers and Asprey & Garrard diamonds are elegantly outrageous.
On Erin O'Connor a swirl of 15 Yokohama chicken feathers curved high over her head, on Honor Fraser an
inverted silk cage, and on Alek Wek a beehive mix of white plumes.
Treacy is also a brilliant fashion editor with great taste who "dresses" his hats with a selection of outfits
from a wide range of houses, including Agent Provocateur, Chanel Haute Couture, Adam Entwhistle, men's Dior,
Frederic Molenac, Laurence Steele and Valentino.
There's a huge demand for Treacy's invitations. The show drew Vogue editors-in-chief in double figures,
international It Girls and a great front row of fans. From the accents in the Möet & Chandon bar before
the show, it felt like two carriage loads had taken the Eurostar over for the day.
This was Treacy's second couture show, and one of the best in Paris. Hats, you ask, how many people wear
them anymore? But many people do wear Philip's - and not just the fortunate who buy his unique couture pieces.
Treacy makes a great variety of everything from raincaps to simple hats and sells them in his flagship store
in London's Elizabeth Street and department store.
Treacy has even begun making men's hats and porkpies. You can pick up one for as little as $120.
But the couture is his highest expression, that great moment when by artifice, skill and a vivid imagination
Treacy brings something uniquely beautiful in the world. Hats off to the man.
Philip Treacy Haute Couture
Philip Treacy Haute Couture
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