My favorite kinds of collections are ones that exist in a world of pure fantasy and that tell a distinct story with each passing look. This season, Bill Gaytten designed the Spring/Summer 2019 John Galliano collection that interpreted the classic Australian thriller-mystery novel “Picnic At Hanging Rock” and translated it to a dreamy, nostalgic collection that brought us back to the year 1900 in the late Victorian age, where women wore corsets, gauzy dresses, and jackets with puffed shoulders. I swoon.
In the story of “Picnic At Hanging Rock,” a group of school girls goes missing while on a Valentine’s Day outing to the picturesque Hanging Rock. They disappear under mysterious circumstances that leaves the community reeling and poised for tragic collapse. This compelling story was made into a visually striking, gorgeous film that featured a bevy of beautiful ladies dressed in incredible dresses- which served as the inspiration for Gaytten’s work.
Through the ghosts of these 1900s schoolgirls, his collection managed to evoke a distinctly summery, yet posh and delicate mood with Vicotrian-inspired, translucent dresses and skirts that were rendered in girlish colors like pink, powder blue and white. Each dress also included its fair share of bows, frills, lace and pearlescent beading, perfect for making each girl look like a porcelain doll, while heavy black combat boots modernized each look and gave them some much-needed edge. One of the more charming details of the collection are the oversized, round glasses that scream boarding school, paired with rustic straw hats. I’ve already added both of these accessories to my list of must-haves for next season!
When it comes down to it, I really love collections that strive to pluck something from the past and polish it until it shines anew, so that people can see it with fresh eyes. Vintage looks give me a ton of inspiration in particular because I adore thrifting and finding unique pieces that could never be found in a modern retail store. While these frilly, Victorian getups may not seem practical to the everyday consumer, these types of collections light a fire inside me and really validate my sense of style, while giving me inspiration for what to look for at my next thrift store search.
Fashion, at the end of the day, is about creating a character for others to inhabit, and this collection has done a fine job of bringing a swathe of literary personalities to life.
Check out some of my favorite looks from the collection below:
All photos from Vogue.com
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