Alessandra Rich held her spring show at the Reformed Church of the Holy Spirit in Paris. The light coming through Its impressive elliptical glass ceiling seemed so otherworldly, she imagined a space shuttle landing after a voyage, carrying a flotilla of Rich-clad aliens. She called the collection From Venus With Love.
Metallic silver threads on tweed textures, transparent organza with a silvery shine, and various ethereal fabrics referenced the space theme; they were offset by a tougher, sexier undercurrent of black leather, bondage high-heeled boots, and wristband chains attached to punkish, metal-studded little bags.
As always with Rich, the ladylike clashed with the naughty, the bon-ton was pitted against “the wild side”—tailored blazers were worn over nude chiffon numbers, tight pencil skirts were paired with barely-there, sexy knitted tops, short-shorts in black sequins contrasted with prim-looking blouses of the sheer variety.
“You can be girly or womanly,” said Rich at a preview. “Delicate or aggressive; it’s your choice.” Her Venusian aliens certainly knew how to pick sides.
