On an original techno score by Robert Hood, one of the founding fathers of minimal techno, titled “Organized Chaos”, Matthew Williams paraded his second coed collection for Givenchy – his first coed effort last October was a simple showroom unveiling, and look book drop.
The real parade took place in the gigantic Paris La Défense Arena concert hall – audience-less of course, social distancing required – with headlights hovering above models’ heads like they were on the run from a flying saucer and illuminating a wet ground.
Arriving as creative director of the house last June, Matthew Williams who also runs his own streetwear-inspired label 1017 Alyx 9SM showed here his affinity for fabrication and material experimentation. Aside from the occasional pop of fire red, the looks themselves all predominately showcased a monochromatic color of black, off-white, and brown. While the color palette remained simple the pieces themselves were far from it. Street style influenced elements were fused with avant-garde creations to represent a tension between extravagance and disciple.
In many ways, this collection is about a constant tension between two worlds. It’s about finding personal meaning in difficult circumstances; it’s about sincerity in what we do rather than strategy. We wanted to bring a sense of lived reality alongside precision, elegance and extravagance in the clothing and looks. Ultimately, fashion for us is a way of being, feeling and connecting rather than a game to be played. It’s almost like monumentalising the everyday, filling it with emotion-like music you can wear
Matthew Williams